My Play-Room

Not out of your fear do I lack this door,

No, nor is it a lack of love,

But because I have lost the key

By which I could have let you in.

This room is mine and mine only,

My room where many others breathe-

I make toys breathe, the only string-puller

In my vast confused world.

It’s not that I care less, or trust you not,

You may look inside through this window here,

But as for this door, it must remain shut,

I cannot let you in.

You look sad and never will know,

How I wish to open this door

And spread my toys in the whole house,

But the house has no space for them,

They’ll be disfigured and lost there.

And if the toys are gone

And no room left for me-

Where shall I hide when the toy-catcher comes?