Piston Help

[JimTheGreat]

I created my very own mob trap, FINALLY. No youtube video, 100% legit made all by me.

Now I'm kind of confused. I needed to somehow control the mobs dropping down or staying up until I control it so that it does. The first thing that came up to my mind, was..pistons.
Now I'm a total beginner at redstone wiring and shit, so this is one tough luck.
I created a test world, to test out some redstone wiring. I've got a little hold of double door making and sorts, but pistons...kind of confusing.

I can't explain it any further, so I will post a SS below.
I need to make the piston go out and in, with a lever, or pressure plate. (NO BUTTON). So far, my pistons are out, and I cannot anyway put them back in without destroying one of the redstone torches or the redstone. I need to trigger the on/off with a lever, but it doesn't work. Whenever I click the lever, nothing happens.
THIS IS MY DIAGRAM (BELOW). Please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[JimTheGreat]

anyone? I need an answer fast..

[hexacyanide]

You must power the block the torch is PLACED ON to turn the torch off.

[JimTheGreat]

You must power the block the torch is PLACED ON to turn the torch off.

? You can't put a wire and a torch on one block...
Could you just briefly kinda do it and show me a SS of it?

[hexacyanide]

Power the block from the side.
l
_[]

This is a lame construct, but the _ is redstone. The [] is a block (nontransparent) and | a redstone torch.
Power the redstone to toggle the torch.

[JimTheGreat]

Power the block from the side.
l
_[]

This is a lame construct, but the _ is redstone. The [] is a block (nontransparent) and | a redstone torch.
Power the redstone to toggle the torch.

thank you for your response @hexacyanide . Your method worked nicely, but I've find a solution...
I just had to replace the two torches with 2 redstone repeaters, and it worked just fine.
/req close @Blaze

[Polo]

^

closed. Sorry for the extremely late response.