the extra key

hardly
a peep comes
out
of the neighbor's
house.
though
she's pleasant
on her way
in or
out from
work or play.
it's a cautious
choice
of words
you both
use, not wanting
to intrude
or be impolite,
avoiding
any personal
questions in order
to keep
it just this
way. you haven't
reached a point
of exchanging
keys, just
in case
of some calamity.
for now the key
stays neat
and safe
inside the stone
turtle
with the slide
out bottom
near the dogwood.