Observations: Through the ‘Narrow Gate’

/ M McKinnell

This series of pantoums was inspired by a prayer walk I was prompted to take during my recent retreat, as I reflected on the Scripture verses from Matthew 7:13-14. The photos were taken during my prayer walk to aid my reflections and following repetition prayer that led to the writing of these poems.

Poems were written 10-16 September 2025.

1. A Pinprick in the Distance

A woodland path with trees, shrubs and open sky and a gate, barely visible in the distance.

A pinprick in the distance just waiting to be opened,
with so much in front to draw the eyes away.
Trees, bushes, sky and wildlife all distract the mind –
the clarity of the path ahead blurs with the green.

With so much in front to draw the eyes away,
a sense of openness versus the tunnel to the gate.
The clarity of the path ahead blurs with the green –
Still, the lure of the narrow gate calls loud and clear.

A sense of openness versus the tunnel to the gate,
trees, bushes, sky and wildlife all distract the mind.
Still, the lure of the narrow gate calls loud and clear –
a pinprick in the distance just waiting to be opened.

2. The Light Beyond

A woodland path drawing the eye to the gate at the end - brighter green of the open field beyond catch the eye.

The gates much clearer within my focus now,
just like the phrase, ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.
With light beyond noticeable in dullness of trees –
there’s still paths to walk and commitment to make.

Just like the phrase, ‘light at the end of the tunnel’,
the goal is in sight, clearly defined by the eye.
There’s still paths to walk and commitment to make –
curiosity’s building as to what wonders ahead.

The goal is in sight, clearly defined by the eye,
with light beyond noticeable in dullness of trees.
Curiosity’s building as to what wonders ahead –
the gates much clearer within my focus now.

3.  The Hint of Vast Wonders

An image of the gate at the end of the woodland path, taken about 10 metres away. Through the leaves of the woodland, trees are visible as blurry shapes in the field beyond.

The view now is clearer with definable shapes,
as slowly understanding begins filling the mind.
A hint of vast wonders encourages the journey –
though things here and now still cloud the view.

As slowly understanding begins filling the mind,
the gate feels closer, and steps easier to tread.
Though things here and now still cloud the view –
my focus is shifting to God’s kingdom beyond.

The gate feels closer, and steps easier to tread,
a hint of vast wonders encourages the journey.
My focus is shifting to God’s kingdom beyond –
the view now is clearer with definable shapes.

4.  Still, I Bide Behind Bars

An image of a field through the bars of a gate.

It is all much clearer now, yet still I bide ‘behind bars’,
the path blocked by barriers of body, mind and spirit.
With the heavens inaccessible until the gate is open –
my choice is to hope, or forever live restricted.

The path blocked by barriers of body, mind and spirit,
it’s a clear invitation, ‘come home and be set free’.
My choice is to hope, or forever live restricted –
I yearn for vast openness that clearly lies ahead.

It’s a clear invitation, ‘come home and be set free’,
with the heavens inaccessible until the gate is open.
I yearn for vast openness that clearly lies ahead –
it is all much clearer now, yet still I bide ‘behind bars’.

5.  The Clear Invitation

An open gate leading from woodland into a field.

‘Tis my choice to open gates, and with them my heart,
as more light shines in, with such boldness of colour.
The clear invitation to make my way through –
a strong guiding hand the encouragement I need.

As more light shines in, with such boldness of colour,
it is a strong lure, the known voice of my shepherd.
A strong guiding hand the encouragement I need –
our Lord God is waiting with warm welcome embrace.

It is a strong lure, the known voice of my shepherd,
the clear invitation to make my way through.
Our Lord God is waiting with warm welcome embrace –
‘tis my choice to open gates, and with them my heart.

6.  Many-roomed Vastness Revealed

A panoramic view of a large field with some scattered trees dividing the space.

Now I’ve arrived, the many-roomed vastness revealed,
there’s much to explore now I’ve come through the gate.
‘Welcome home, my child’, is the greeting I hear –
my clouds breaking up revealing the full light around.

There’s much to explore now I’ve come through the gate,
with space to grow in the peace of God’s realm.
My clouds breaking up revealing the full light around –
a shower of God’s warmth as the sun breaks through.

With space to grow in the peace of God’s realm,
‘Welcome home, my child’, is the greeting I hear.
A shower of God’s warmth as the sun breaks through –
now I’ve arrived, the many-roomed vastness revealed.