Small Brass Key

Locked up tight in my heart
are memories of you loving me;
though long ago I threw away
that precious small brass key.

You know the key, the little one;
you gave to me with hope.
You know the key, the tarnished one;
tied to the end of my rope.

I carried it for many years,
long after our love had died.
It tarnished up from all my tears,
even those ones I tried to hide.

I carried it around my neck,
it strangled me with its pain.
I carried it like a burden,
for there was nothing more to gain.

Then one day that key snagged,
causing my heart to stumble.
I felt like I was being dragged,
no more reason to be humble.

I cut the rope and left the key
somewhere between 'love' and 'I don't care';
and though the key is gone,
that little rope still hangs right there.

Reminding me of memories,
of broken hearts and loves lost.
and it will always be a part of me,
for in the game of love, that is the cost.


¤¤¤¤¤¤

Inspired by @writingprompt on twitter: Small Brass Key