Linda Studley

Keys

Keys on maps provide translations
of the symbols and squiggles and shapes.
Keys to doors provide access
to a places where we can be safe.

Keys to tests provide answers.
Keys on cans provide spam,
(or sometimes herring or sardines,
or large, jelly covered, cooked hams.)

Keys to hearts provide insights
into who we were and are.
Low-key, high-key, off-key, on-key
Please don’t key my car.

Keys on musical instruments
provide music (if not off-key).
Keys to archways keep their stones
from falling down on me.

But the keys on my computer
are the ones I use the most
to send my words around the world
Whenever I hit “post”.

#51