skeleton key

i hid the heart of a recluse

beneath a locked cage of ribs

and i stowed the key in the

outside of my left sneaker

but i was always running with my

shoes untied and one day

you found that key lying still in a field of tombstones

its stem glimmering, untouched

you found my footprints

skidding through a blizzard of ashes

thin contrails whipping behind

and then you ran to me

the key groaned in your hand

as you fitted it between my bones

a sharp click and you were alive

and i was alive with you

we were always running with our

shoes tied together and the wind swirling around us

but one day you leaped ahead and dragged me

and you watched me fall

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you hid the heart of a pirate

beneath a locked cage of ribs

you buried the tarnished key

with the rest of your stolen treasures

i always walk with my shoes tied

but i catch them loosening and

i know they miss the runningwind

like i do