What Keys Will You Drop?

Sometimes all it takes is to be seen

Photo by Jason D on Unsplash

“The small woman builds cages for everyone she knows,

While the sage, 
who has to duck her head when the moon is low,

Keeps dropping keys all night long, 
for the beautiful rowdy prisoners.”

~Hafiz

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This poem has spoken to me since the first time I saw it¹.

First, the sage. Ah, what a soul connecting word. I think we are all sages in different sections and stages of our lives. The sage’s Spirit in this poem, is so fully recognized and free to move that she needs to ‘duck her head when the moon is low’. What a beautiful image.

And even in her fullness, actually I believe because of it, she feels drawn to help those who keep themselves small.

The small woman moves from a place of fear, and the only way she sees to protect herself and control the future, is to put others (and often, herself) into preconceived boxes. Places or situations where she feels she can contain or minimize what will happen next.

The sage, in her wisdom, drops keys for the prisoners. She doesn’t unlock or break the cage. She gives them agency to decide for themselves. She encourages and respects them and their choices. The sage shows she is there to offer support and guidance. She sees them with love, not judgement.

I’m also struck that the sage is dropping keys ‘all night long’. Why night? Maybe it’s the metaphorical state of the prisoners’ mindset or it symbolizes the sage helping anonymously. Perhaps night signifies a space quiet enough that the ‘prisoners’ become aware of the keys already all around them. I think night also illustrates a sacred space that allows the prisoners to free themselves in their own time. Whatever the intended meaning, it feels beautiful to me. Powerful and calm at the same time.

And what of the prisoners? They are beautiful and rowdy! I believe they are vibrant, aware they are in the wrong place, and looking for ‘keys’. Asking to be seen.

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Does this poem speak to you? What stands out?

What reminders could you share to help other women unlock the door of their cage? Where could your acknowledgement make a difference? Who could you invite to the table? Or remind that they don’t need permission?
💖 Please share in the comments. Let’s inspire each other 💖.

Maybe you could send a quick text of support. Make a post cheering them on. Highlight or share some of their work. Show up for them and witness their success or support them in a hard time.

Let’s keep building each other up, not locking each other out.

Let’s be curious and courageous. Let’s pour out keys, in the form of love. Let’s, let each other know, we are seen.

Let’s show each other the keys available to us, whether the cage is of our own creation or one put in place by others.

What impact can you have on the vibrant women in your life? Friends, colleagues, daughters, sisters, mothers, ….. Let’s keep dropping keys 🗝️✨

Thank you Claire Venus ✨, Lauren Barber, Laura Durban, Laurita Gorman, Georgia, and Lyndsay Kaldor for the invite and inspiration to share an article for International Women’s Day.

1. Sometimes this poem is translated with masculine pronouns, but the first time I saw it, it was translated with feminine pronouns.