CONTRIBUTIONS

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR - Copyright © 2004, Dave Maddux

I'm just scared of being accused,
Only more than slightly confused.
I must work this out my own way,
I know what my parents would say.

My charade is justly explained:
Circumstances keep me restrained.
Yet I wonder how it might be
If the lock were met with a key.

Too many hearts are still in pieces,
Too many lives in chains;
The smile on the surface comes and goes,
But the deafening guilt remains.

Powerful secrets weigh them down,
Carrying all the shame around,
Barely guessing what life could be and more,
On the other side of the door.

Few friends know me just as I am,
Others see the fraud and the sham.
I've lost time I'll never reclaim,
Playing this duality game.

Too many lives are still divided,
Too many minds confused;
The years of denial come and go,
Feeling guarded and yet abused.

Hoping the truth is never known,
Bearing the burden all alone,
Unaware of the freedom that's in store
On the other side of the door.

Oh, too many hearts are bound by sorrow,
Too many friends in fear;
The call of the open road resounds
In each desperate captive's ear.

Weary of all the tears they cry,
Lonely and living in a lie,
Aching for all the futures to explore
On the other side of the door.

There's more life than you've ever known before
On the other side of the door.

Come out now while your spirit still can soar,
On the other side of the door.

The Other Side of the Door is one of the songs in the musical Boys and Girls with Stories, by David Maddux. Seattle-based composer / arranger / conductor David Maddux has exercised his musical and directorial abilities for more than two decades. David is the conductor and artistic director of the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Chorus, where he penned the choral musical, Boys & Girls with Stories.

In 1993 The Seattle Men’s Chorus premiered his Swellegant Elegance: the life and music of Cole Porter and their Fifth Avenue Theatre performances were aired nationally on PBS. David also performs with and conducts his own 16-voice lesbian and gay music / theatre ensemble, Pro Homo Voci.