One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.

What's Wrong with My Heart

Gillian Shiels

My heart is a little broken:

Sometimes it does too much ticking

And not enough tocking.

It’s an electrical signal disruption,

They tell me.

I take my tablets every day

And they help.

Most of the time.

But I worry.

I can’t help it.

Over the years,

This poor heart of mine

Has been shattered so many times.

It has been battered,

Bruised,

Ached so badly

I was sure I would die.

It has expanded

And contracted.

Been scorched by flames

I mistook for lasting warmth.

Still, I will continue to take my tablets.

And whisper to my heart in the night,

As if it were a fragile bird,

Beat on,

sweet heart,

beat on.

More from Gillian Shiels ↓

• @thoughts_finding_words on Instagram

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