Dear heart
and most stalwart companion,
Deluded by my own hubris
I ignored your constancy,
living as though
no matter the season or the weather,
you would continue to work
on my behalf,
without so much as a murmur
of complaint.
I take full responsibility-
knowing that those unshed tears
of frustration and pain
poured into the frosted blue bottle,
capped tightly
with burnt cork,
tucked next to the ball of twine
thickly corded,
knotted with strands of grief
and anger
and left there-
just there-
under my breastbone,
next to my left ribs –
those things were not yours to bear.
But you did.
Until finally the damage was done.
But please know, heart of my heart,
I will no longer cause you pain-
you will be strong again,
nurtured and no longer ignored.
I will treasure your strength
and resoluteness
until my last breath
and your last beat.
Truly yours,
K