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Lock & Key

by Melissa Arel





A lock and key I hid away
To my secret hiding place
Called my heart, chained and bound
By the pain and resentment I found
But you climbed inside the attic here
Just to take a look inside
Seeing all that was stored away
Caused tears to form in your eyes

Dust off this thing you call my soul
And polish bright my treasure chest
Open it up, what do you see?
Memoirs, pictures of the worst and best
Sifting through this antiqued heart
You found what made my body weak
All I wanted was a brand new start
Forgotten among the menagerie

Boxes and boxes piled high
Full of hurts, aches and many cries
But open the door and who is there?
The girl who’s glad you snuck in here
Taking me by the hand you showed
Me all of the junk I need to let go
Sweeping way the clutter unwanted
You saw in me the woman undaunted
So I’ll take the mop and you take the broom
And let’s finally clean out this old room

I never would’ve dreamed that you
In all your time and thoughts provoked
Would notice that I locked away
The heart unmended, dying and broke
But you have such a way with me
That I never would’ve realized come true
You taught me how to feel and see –
What it meant to be truly loved by you.

09/16/1997

Author's Note: ~previously titled 'Antique Attic'~

Posted on 04/07/2003
Copyright © 2024 Melissa Arel

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Ken Harnisch on 04/07/03 at 02:59 PM

That someone could come along with such a key and turning it in such a lock, rusty with tears and crusted over with pain,then open a new world for both is a tribute both to the one who opened the door and the lovely heart behind it. "Great poem" is redundant and inadequate.

Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 04/07/03 at 07:26 PM

Very apt analogy and title. For me the "you" is God, for He shows us our potential and the change that can take place if we but commit to Him.

Posted by Charles E Minshall on 04/09/03 at 03:59 AM

In the heart and mind are stored the clutter and keepsakes of a lifetime. It is hard to clean them out. Fine poem Mel....Charlie

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/10/03 at 04:30 PM

Excellent poem! One of the best allegorically and metaphorically I've read in some time. Give yourself a pat on the back Melissa.

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