Three Keys

She wore them 'round her slender neck
Three ornate keys on chain of fine silver
She caught me gazing in their direction
and whispered in my ear, "Which one?"

Which key would I choose if given a choice?
Gold, the brightest, caught my eye first.
Would it open her heart to love only me,
or lock the door to keep us apart?

A silver key had become tarnished over time
but didn't detract from its shapely form.
Though not as beautiful as the young maid,
I wondered if it was the right key to her heart.

Smallest of them all was the one cast in bronze.
Her smile vanished when my hand reached out.
My fingers were warmed at the slightest touch
of the key that fell from the chain's broken clasp.

From her moist hazel eyes, rained tears of relief.
From her lips, the faint curve of a tender smile.
She placed a soft hand against my cheek and said,
"I've been waiting for you for such a long while."


7/19/2016
Three Keys Contest-John Lawless
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Kimathi Avatar
July 23, 2016 at 5:06 AM
Congrats Marti, for your placement with this wonderful piece!! ;-)
Rycroft Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Congrats well written great poem x
Selfa Avatar
July 21, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Great write Marti! I must say this is one of your best! Congratulations and continue using the power of your words! :)
Haight Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 5:50 PM
Amazing metaphor in your poem, Marti. Congratulations on your nice placement in the contest. 7 Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 5:11 PM
many congrats on your win Marti:-) hugs jan xx
Lawless Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 2:01 PM
A lovely metaphoric treatment of the shallowness of men and their inability to plum the depths of a woman's true beauty. Nice take on the theme. thanks for participating in the contest
James Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 7:28 AM
beautiful write!
Gupta Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Very nice ... Enjoyed so much ...
Allison Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 6:37 AM
Marti this is a wonderful poem - it may not be gold but was the key to her heart - great tale and do drop by the collaboration poem you are in for a big surprise:-):-):-)
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