The Key

in The Ink Well2 years ago (edited)

There is a boy
that holds the key to her heart.

Sometimes, he brandishes that key and smirks at the rest of the boys. Chuckling to himself, he taunts, "Lookie here, mates! I have the key!" (as if any other boy would care, but he thinks they do.)

Sometimes, he puts that key in his back pocket - just for safe keeping.

Sometimes he wears it around his neck - to keep it close to his heart.

Sometimes, he lays it down on a counter or puts it high on a shelf or puts it deep inside his wardrobe, because he doesn't want to lose it. Then, proceeds to forget where he hid it.

Then, there are times he stands on a cliff overlooking the sea, and tosses that key into the waves crashing against the rocky shore below.

He swears that he'll never use that key again, because it reminds him that he's not worthy of the treasure chest it unlocks.

He turns, and walks away. But as he hears the sound of the metal clinking against the rocks right before the waves sweep it into itself, pulled deep into the dark mysteries of the sea - he hesitates.

Then - swan dives, careless, reckless, hopeful, and longing.
Wave after wave, he will never stop searching for that key, because it doesn't belong to the sea.

It belongs to him.
Forever.

Image by Austin Neill

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I really enjoyed this cameo piece, Stormcharmer. I hope the boy finds that key and that when he does, he keeps it close to his heart for the rest of his life. He no doubt has realised that it was entrusted to him for a reason; because the priceless contents of the treasure chest are precious; a heart that requires his constant love and attention. A real key thrown in the ocean and left to its own devices will rust over time, making connection inside the lock more abrasive and difficult to negotiate, when attempts are made to re-gain access to the treasure. Godspeed young boy - let nothing stand in your way! !LUV !ALIVE

Thank you @samsmith1971. I'm positive the boy will find it, but I'm equally positive he will throw it away again. Don't fret, he will eternally go swan-diving for it, moments after he has tossed it. Some boys are just like that. They do things to drive you mad, and they try their very best to sabotage their attempts at victory. However, the rarest of these boys also believe that tomorrow is another day, and dare to try again. Thank you again for your visit. 😅

Good to know! I'll be sure to watch out for these rare breeds 😂

@stormcharmer! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @samsmith1971. (2/10)

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A beautiful and interesting peetic text, @stormcharmer , which can perhaps be read in the key of a short story.
Thanks for posting in The Ink Well. We are looking for great stories to curate, with excellent characters, action, dialog and narrative. In our guidelines (see our manifesto), we suggest a bare minimum of 350 words, in order to develop a strong story. You'll find great tips for developing characters, conflict, story arcs and more in our catalog of fiction writing tips. Good luck and keep writing.

I apologize @theinkwell! I hadn't even looked at the word count when I wrote this quick piece. It was one of those days where I realized I hadn't written in months, and if I didn't write immediately, I would let another day pass by. Thank you for the re-direction to the guidelines and thank you for the grace to let this one slide by! I'll be certain to make the next story hit that 350 threshold 😅

Your story is short yet captivating.
I wonder if he got the key from the sea because if he didn't it means he lost his chance with her.

I will share with you the comment I left for samsmith1971, since you ask the same question @stellageorge

image.png

As you can see, I believe he will always get that key back. Some boys make life very difficult for girls. But some girls make life incredibly challenging for those boys. It's a lovely cycle that hopefully ends up with them learning and loving together.

Thank you for coming to visit this piece. You've made me smile 😅

I understand now.
Thank you for explaining to me. 😇
You're welcome too.

Oh my. This is so beautiful and poignant, @stormcharmer. I can see that swan dive! I cringed, fretting about those rocks! How many times in my life have I thrown away something precious — just wanting it away from me, where it no longer has power — only to realize that I had to get it back?

We've missed you! So great to see you in The Ink Well again.

That boy - swan-diving right into the rocky sea below! He's a bit reckless, isn't he? 😅 Love can do that. I think he would rather die trying, than lose her. Thankfully, he's done it before, and will most likely do it again, so he's an "old pro" when it comes to timing the waves and judging the distance from life to death.

He's always a bit banged up when he returns, though. Thank the stars she's a gentle nurse.

I've missed @theinkwell also, @jayna. I make attempts to return, but like the boy - I toss that key. Thank you for always being a gentle nurse when I come limping back. 😅

Just please keep retrieving the key, @stormcharmer! But watch those darn rocks! 😘

Yay! 🤗
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I'm not sure exactly what this means, but thank you for it anyway @samsmith1971 😅

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So brilliant and enchanting. Exquisite emotion rocking the soul, the waves washing away the treasure. I can see him searching in the dead of night for that key, God help him!
Really beautiful, you’ve packed so much into such a small space. Beautiful read! ❤️💕❤️🥰🥰🥰🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

A short but symbolic story. I also wish you find that key, because it's better to have it than not to have it..