Key
Not off-key, answer key or low key
I’m talking about your common
house key, car key
file cabinet, mailbox or luggage key
the flat metal kind
with intelligent ridges
ground into its blade
The kind of key
you keep with others
on the little flashlight key-ring
next to the fob
that makes your car
blink and a toot
The key you sometimes misplace
lose, or forget
bringing on yourself
panic, frantic phone calls
hours lurking outside your house
(with its blank windows staring at you
as if it doesn’t know who you are)
waiting for someone to show up
with the spare key
The key you have nightmares
over others finding
and helping themselves
to your car, your computer, your TV
your very identity…
Have you seen mine anywhere?
© 2011 by Violet Nesdoly
Linked at One Shot Wednesday, Week 46
Violet Nesdoly 
Who among cannot relate to this? You’ve nicely worked in all the many meanings of “key”, Violet. I especially like how you leave open to interpretation the concluding line.
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ha. wish i could help you as i have lost mine several times…once in the woods last summer…ugh…fun read, but only because i have mine in my pocket…
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That was a kick. I used to keep a spare key in my car as it has a keyless entry pad. The guy that stole my car found it most convenient.
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Yes my ocd helps me keep track of mine
As I always check to see if in my pocket they are fine
Would very much suck
To lose them and have some dirty ummmm ****
Take them and steal
Then you’d have to go through that whole ordeal
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A fun read “with intelligent ridges” enjoyed that line. Good write! ~ Rose
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with all those misplaced keys in our lives, your poem found the key to my heart and it was a joy to read, especially realizing i’m not the only person who probably has nightmares while angry keys are chasing me down an endless hallway of locked doors…love the subtle humor and clever subject matter and knowing you validated a lot of people’s feelings about keys…
great poem…
sincerely
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I love the idea of your house looking at you blankly as though a stranger! Cute poem and I can very much relate!
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