if you come this way

if you come this way
through winding, narrow lanes
where light peeps from behind curtains drawn
blushing coyly at the night,
find your way though the doors are closed, and the roads depeopled still.

search out the solitary footprints
that in waiting
paced up and down the difficult pathways.

see how they lead up rickety stairs
winding upwards towards some faint light.

quick. cross the threshold
in brisk steps.
lest your footsteps too
stop outside like mine.