Squishy heart

Take this squishy heart
Squeeze it, just so
Feel its rubbery strength
Its warmth and softness
Turn it over in your hands
Can you see the purplish bruises?
The scarred and gnarled tissue?
That’s where you left it for someone new
This is where you said it was nothing special
Here’s where you wounded it with selfish words
Now, turn it over again
Feel it quiver. Its strong thumping. The heat it carries
It has a life of its own and continues to beat
That cadence is untouchable, infallible
Now, take this squishy heart
Place it back in its locked box
And just leave it be
Now, throw away the key
– J.B.