smooth stainless steel
of thickness exactly equal
throughout its entire length.
the brand stamped proudly like
a stubborn scar on its cold face,
tapering to an end sharp enough to cut my wrist
if i tried.

jagged on one side, as
smooth as glass on the other. trenches
dug deep in-between,
collecting dead skin cells as
i finger the key thoughtfully.

take it from me,
drag it across my open palm.
an expert flick of the wrist
leaves both our dead matter
in the metal hollows of the lock.

in and out.
in and
out.

this key's merely a carrier
of some invisible substance, the name of which
i've long forgotten.

it's over;
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
June 2006
August 2006