keys to the kingdom

i used to think i knew a few things,
like there was an elusive master key
that i got to hold in certain spaces.
oh the privilege to hold such a key,
wielding wisdom with this bronzed sword.

sadly it seemed,
slip out the back pocket
more times than i’d want,
reaching back to yield the unlock,
only finding desperate fingers
poking through daylight.

the more elusive this “perfect” key,
i decided, i don’t know many things.
i strain, i try, to pick, to pry,
this wisdom, this key,
felt more locked than opened with ease.

then i learned it’s more of a collection,
a simple key ring with many members,
all different cuts, grooves, and teeth,
some old and rusty, some new and shiny.

collected one by one,
jingling together in some unique melody,
speaking only to the thresholds i’ve crossed,
and the ones well worn,
from accessing familiar hideouts.

some of the sweetest keys are the old spares,
pulled out from the rock in the backyard,
the friend who shares the secret access,
or ones costly duplicated, inviting in.

some doors are not for me yet,
some locks still sealed,
and perhaps gifting of those useful to another,
frees my ring for new keys.
releasing knowledge, thoughts, access points,
ones that i no longer need,
or perhaps tokens for entering old gaits,
in lieu of the new secret places.

these keys,
simple wisdom,
gifted and collected access.
and reliably again, the ones in hand,
the exact match for the door now faced.