He sat there

Staring, lifelessly at

The arched gate

It’s magnitude was striking, or

At least, it would’ve been

If he was paying attention

He had been

Sitting there for 

Longer than he could remember

Watching the 

Children sing

And the people laugh

Through the unwavering steel bars

When he had first arrived at

The arched gate

He noticed it 

A button

And somehow

He already knew its purpose

All he had to do was

Press it and 

A guard would assist him and

open the gate

Yes it was tempting

But he couldn’t

He just wouldn’t

So he sat there

Staring through the steel bars and 

Watching the 

Children sing

And the people laugh