A single tear

heat rising

ragged exhale

Please…

forgive me

for I have died many times this year.

You don’t break

When I have given you so much to hold

Thank you, heart

for mending your cuts

and filling them with

new love

old love

quiet love.

I inhale your strength

and I rise

like the chills on my forearm.

Slowly

my eyes flutter open,

smiling now

at my own reflection and

loving you

my dear, tough heart.