Morning light splits canyon walls wide
Shadows stretch on ancient stone floor
I carry what no lock requires
Heavy in my calloused palm alone
Altos rise in muscle memory
Hymn fragments drift on heated wind
Choir director taps phantom baton
Measure rests in hollow ribcage bone
Keyless mesa holds the secret tight
Sun writes scripture on the canyon floor
Brass catches light like consecrated metal
Waiting for a knock that comes no more
Key and mesa, locked in light forever
Collared lizard darts through creosote shade
Boot heel crushes purple sage to dust
Canyon breathes in slow thermal rhythm
Time measured in geological age
Strata layers record each passing
Hymn fragments drift on heated wind
Choir director taps phantom baton
Measure rests in hollow ribcage bone
Keyless mesa holds the secret tight
Sun writes scripture on the canyon floor
Brass catches light like consecrated metal
Waiting for a knock that comes no more
Key and mesa, locked in light forever
Pocket holds the weight of promise made
To no one living in this century now
Grandfather's inheritance gleams dull copper
Sweat beads on my furrowed brow line
Legacy without a keyhole found
No hinges rust in sandstone seams
No latch clicks shut at eventide
Only horizon swallowing sun whole
Only key and mesa stretching wide
Purpose measured in light and shadow
Keyless mesa holds the secret tight
Sun writes scripture on the canyon floor
Brass catches light like consecrated metal
Waiting for a knock that comes no more
Key and mesa, locked in light forever
I place it where light hits longest now
Tempered by the day's full blazing arc
Maybe purpose isn't opening doors
But witness where the shadows start
Altos fade on final sustained note
Keyless mesa holds the secret tight
Sun writes scripture on the canyon floor
Brass catches light like consecrated metal
Waiting for a knock that comes no more
Key and mesa, locked in light forever
Brass key rests on sandstone ledge now
No door needed
Just light and ledge