Her Lock is Broken

Her lock, surrounded

by barbed wire. Protected,

like a barricade. She knew

there was only one key.

She knew.

One key that

could survive the dozens

of soldiers surrounding it

with rifles in a high ready position.

One key that could withstand the shock

of the barbed wire.

And suddenly,

there was a key in the lock cylinder.

A perfect fit.

Over time, the bullets on the key changed.

The key fit into other lock cylinders—

not just hers. The lock burst

as the key no longer opened it.

The soldiers came flooding in,

but there was nothing left to protect.

The shackle, the locking bar, the latches,

all gone, with no return in sight.