A Valentine to the Human Heart

[Chris Dec]

Red Hearts


When I became aware, immersed in puberty
I put nine red hearts in a cardboard box
and tucked that box away;
These would be my life’s supply,
they would mime fallopian paths
I‘d pass one when the time was right,
to some hot and sweet romance, and, well, nine seemed quite enough.


But I became stingy, over time.
For after all, my hearts were few and running low
I saw I hadn't saved enough
And lacked the stuff to make some more.


Oh, I could buy a whole new box
(They sell them like that),
It isn't the same.


So now I sit here with this final heart
the faded red,
it holds on tight,
stuck to the only place its known,
I've broken nails prying.

C.Dec -1995