the cemetery gate

that gate has been broken
since February
a snow plow must have knocked it down

a strong black iron gate
unyielding yet still
snapped at the hinges
partially collapsed on the ground

there is something fitting about it –
an entrance to a cemetery
that is only halfway open
its visitors are not fully welcome
they are not invited to stay

it is a reminder to those that don’t need to be reminded
of the great divide that separates us
from the ones we love

every time I turn onto the road
I wonder if the gate will have been fixed
and for some reason
I hope it never is