Robert Frost (1874–1963). Miscellaneous Poems to 1920. 1920.

7. The Lockless Door

(From A Miscellany of American Poetry 1920 [New York, 1920].)

IT went many years,

But at last came a knock,

And I thought of the door

With no lock to lock.

I blew out the light,

I tip-toed the floor,

And raised both hands

In prayer to the door.

But the knock came again

My window was wide;

I climbed on the sill

And descended outside.

Back over the sill

I bade a “Come in”

To whoever the knock

At the door may have been.

So at a knock

I emptied my cage

To hide in the world

And alter with age.