The Judge and Guardian of the sea

 It was as if I had suddenly found myself, locked outside of myself.

All the years, energy, and resources I had invested in my own protection,
now were the only things barricading the progression of my newfound direction.

I tried in vain to push, to break,
to sneak, to burrow,
but my security system was truly unconquerable.

And then, just by chance,
you were walking by, and met my eye.

Perhaps you too had been where I was now;
Pounding so heavily on the door to yourself,
till knuckles were bloody,
and bone spurs shot out...

Wondering in vain,
how you happened to be locked outside,
and longing so deeply to go,
to return within.
To abide and reside.

In your peace and testament to character and heart,
You shared with me how to sculpt the perfect key.

While others were selling,
only the iron for exorbitant fees, wrapped with deep religious trappings...
and in truth, they had never even made a key!

Despite all this,
despite the landscape of inexhaustible material hunger,
You compassionately shared your time, your energy, and your wisdom,
and you've helped me to sculpt my perfect key.

Enough time has passed now,
I am humbled in knowing,
there is no way I can repay you,
for something which is beyond all value.

All I hope I can do,
is to honor you.
By stopping anytime I see someone pounding on their door,
and I will give them my time,
my energy, and OUR wisdom,
so that they can also sculpt their own perfect key.

Thank you,
I am eternally thankful to you, for all you chosen to share with me.