Heart Beat

I hear my heartbeat beeping though
I’m told my heart is broken.
Lines move forming mountain peaks and
Valleys shorn and sunken.

I breathe but know if
I forget then SIMV will remember.
Feeling bursts of breakthrough pain
It taunts me to surrender.

I see their blank eyes glancing there
They’re scared to lift the dressing.
Underneath lies pain and grief and
Hope that’s slowly lessening.

I feel my stitches pulling as
They coax my wound to close.
But with each breath and beat my heart
Breaks free from its captivity
And joins the rest in peaceful rest, at last
My heart, beat goes.

Janet Lee, Chicago, Class of 2003