Posted on by Renee Espriu

Changes of A Beating Heart

Waking from a soundless, dreamless sleep
with only a ticking of a heart still beating
a new valve seven years young and still
urging its’ recipient forward a moment more
toward one more day on a well tread path

crickets chirping in a heat clandestine
unknowing if Fall leaves denote a changing
until night turns all into blackness and cold
brings down a dark velvet curtain quietly
waiting to take center stage a new beauty

where in the distance a train faintly heard
a rumble of a giant it’s metal wheels screeching
along heavy metal tracks as it approaches closer
a whistle increases as it signals its’ movement
closing the distance, announcing its’ presence

changes always distant yet closer than they seem
a ticking heart broaching an unknown surface
turbulence increasing in colors bracken unclear
still seeing in the distance reds, yellows, oranges
counting with each tick of the heart another day

© Renee Espriu


Above Image Taken From Public Domain Pictures & Created As Art

9 Replies to “Changes of A Beating Heart”

    1. You are so kind, John. I’m here and have been since 2015 after waking up from emergent open heart surgery but it is a double edged sword…as they say. I have to take blood thinners every day to keep the artificial valve in good working order but they make me quite tired. But sometimes life and having it anew can be a trade off. I don’t mind most days. I do hope you are well, my friend.

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      1. It happens that my wife and I are currently recovering from Covid and are feeling pretty fatigued. However, it was not serious thanks to vaccination, and our tiredness cannot possibly be in the same league as yours Renée. Thank heavens for modern surgery but, as you say, it’s a double-edged sword. I feel your poem conveyed that beautifully. Look after yourself – that’s superfluous but I express the thought anyway! Warmest wishes, John

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      2. John, You are too kind. I am sorry you and your wife have been ill. I, too, contracted the virus from a friend in August just as I was moving to a new location. Already exhausted it hit me hard and I lost weight. It affected my blood thinner adversely and I am still trying to gain back some weight so my blood thinner will be where it should be. I am glad the vaccination helped you. I have never in my life been able to do any of them as I always get very ill as though I have actually been infected. It is all my family dynamics coming to play and I did not get one now as they cannot say what kind of side effects you will have as no two people are the same. I dared not risk it as if there should be a side effect of blood clot then I could die if it passed through my valve. That said, I knew I would get the virus eventually as this virus and all others will always be with us. This particular virus has a history and has been here since before I was born. It has now transmuted and become different but it will still be here. I am glad the vaccination did help you and your wife but every life is different as you know. Do take good care and continue to gather your strength back as I am my own even though I became ill two months ago and was negative two weeks after. Warmest wishes, John, from this still beating heart to yours. Reneé

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      3. You caught Covid! On top of everything else you have to contend with! That must have been extremely unpleasant and very worrying – I’m so glad you got through it safely!
        I think you said you have moved to a new location. Still in Washington State? (I think you know we are in south east England, UK).

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      4. Actually, the only reason it was stressful at all as it took me a month to move. I was living with my daughter and her husband but they decided to downsize. I moved in with a friend but after my dad passed away a year ago March and my sister sold the family home in CA, I purchased an older mobile with some of the money…which wasn’t much being divided between four people. But I haven’t lived alone since before I was married at 18 (too young) and now I am 70 and living alone is not the adventure it once was. I was exhausted from just getting into the mobile and became ill on the last day of the move. Normally, a virus would not have hit so hard but I already have chronic fatigue and being exhausted on top of it…well, you understand, it was bound to happen. At present, I’m actually house sitting for the daughter I lived with and it took everything I had to get this far. I had promised long before everything else happened. She has a dog and so do I and so I watch the house and the dogs. I am still in WA in the city of Centralia…but on the rural end of it. I do know you live in the UK. I try to keep abreast of where my favorite people are that I follow and you are one of those. I’m a tough woman, John. I was in good health until heart failure and somehow I am still here and talking to you. Do take good care, my friend. Reneé

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      5. My word, you’ve been through a lot Renée! Just keep going at your own pace, enjoy the dog and your new home (I hope you are pleased with it) and stay in touch with all your internet friends. I’m pleased and honoured to be counted among them!

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