“The Duality of a Doormat” by Carly Nordaby

Go ahead and wipe your feet on me, please

Cover me in your grime and muck darling

I’m inanimate – I cannot cry or plea

My desire is for you, for your markings

 

My fibers are dirtied and broken

I have been worn and weathered beyond saving

The future is all that remains golden

Your dirt will be my end, my finale, my breaking

 

So go ahead, provoke me, stroke me, reopen

Touch my skin with yours and feel it scraping

Blister your tongue with words unspoken

And if you cannot find them, let your throat cave in

 

Turn me over now, see the clean and empty flesh

Enjoy this devoid canvas for that which is now fresh