NOT HEART TROUBLE, HEART MALAISE

John Grey

Today

my heart is not listening,

just looking for ways out

of this situation.

And it has nothing for you,

not even the ordinary things

like a trestle or a chaise-lounge.

Its walls are pallid,

pigments dwindling.

more puddle

than beating organ.

That’s it –

            my heart doesn’t so much pound

            as leak out.

Look,

there it is behind you.

No wait,

it’s crept under those blankets.

My disturbed heart

does not wish to be disturbed.