Heartbeat

Why won't you feel my heartbeat

trace every up and down line

on every zig-zag flickering winding winding pump

that could and should and will continue to beat with every ounce of its fire

despite everything that's going wrong

the only absolute thing

that could and should and will

continue grow and breathe its heavy existence

into my very own

despite all of my easy-but not-quite so easily-repaired mistakes

it will continue (though, possibly with occasional flutters)

to burst in and out

like clockwork (though with batteries running dry)

my hair may fall out and my bones may slowly brittle

and bend, eventually snap

my back will hunch over and smooth skin will be etched with

fine lines and wrinkles

my people will become bodies

and slowly decay

but my heart will keep beating

never stop, try as I may