Last Friday, I ran my fingers against
The rough walls of an artery
A vessel ravaged by years of hardening
And I thought of my own,
The places where I’ve tried to suppress,
The places where it’s become
Hard like stone
Over time, aches and pains
Build up, accumulate,
The wear and tear
Fibrosis and scarring
Unwanted growths of hurt and shame
Cling so tightly it’s hard to let go
Of past mistakes and worries
Perhaps I need an ablation to
Destroy the dead parts of my heart
Revive the brokenness within me
Burn away my doubts and anxieties
I’m on my knees
Here’s my heart, take it, replace it
With one of clay
Shape it, mold it
To better reflect a deeper compassion
Like oxygen I need
A life-giving fountain
The hole in my heart
I had tried to fill with
My own hands
The achievements I accomplished
Fleeting praise and validation, like grass withering
Let my heart beat to the rhythm of yours
A pulse of restoration, renew my motivation
Fix my inmost being on the things unseen
That will last long after
My heart stops beating
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Anna Delamerced enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating food, and listening to people’s stories (while eating food).