The hearts of the old beat like talking drumsor so I imagine each time I sound
a leathery chest through a stethoscope.
The hearts of the old beat like talking drums
or so I imagine each time I sound
a leathery chest through a stethoscope.
My ears pick up the syllables---animated
snaps
and clicks, distant hums, murmurs and sighs
riotous thumps like something falling downstairs.
I've
been studying the language of hearts.
Old ones have the most to tell and tell
the most of how they came
to ache, break, leap, sink, melt, turn to stone.
When the old folks ask me what I've
heard
I always tell the truth. It's
regular
as a clock, I say, or working hard though it skips
a beat or two. But never have I told
the half of all their hearts contain.
Veneta Masson is a nurse and writer living in Washington, DC. She is a member of New Community Church, a faith community of Church of the Saviour.
Reprinted with permission from Rehab at the Florida Avenue Grill. This book of hope and heart is available from Faith@Work for $13.
Here is a list of recent articles & poems by Veneta Masson