'The moment of change'

 

“Themoment of change is the only poem.” –  Adrienne Rich 
Born in May1929, Rich was a poet, essayist and feminist called "One of the mostwidely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century” inthe text accompanying the prestigious MacArthur (Genius) Fellowship, awarded herin 1994. 
Her works span 7 decades, includingdozens of poetry collections, a dozen nonfiction books, and a huge number ofessays.  Rich’s collection Diving into the Wreck: Poems 1971-1972  won the National Book Award.  She also earned the Frost Medaland a Lifetime Recognition Award from the Griffin Poetry Prize.           For Saturday’s Poem here is Rich's,
            Prospective Immigrants, Please Note                 Eitheryou will
                go through this door
                or you will not go through.
                Ifyou go through
                there is always the risk
                of remembering your name.
                Thingslook at you doubly
                and you must look back
                and let them happen.
                Ifyou do not go through
                it is possible
                to live worthily        
                tomaintain your attitudes
                to hold your position
                to die bravely
                butmuch will blind you,
                much will evade you,
                at what cost who knows?
                Thedoor itself
                makes no promises.
                It is only a door.