The heart of the matter

The visceral pericardium
is adherent to the heart 
Peel it away and the heart bleeds
And bleeds
And bleeds
———————————————————-

As it plunges head first
through life, often into darkness

The heart is peppered 

with scuffs and marks
Cuts and bruises and
The occasional 

round house kick 

Skewered and stabbed,
sometimes from behind
Wrenched and ripped 
from its moorings

But then, in the lull
Between storms
It pants alone in
A deep dark hollow

Licking its wounds 
Looking in detached
curiosity at every
pockmark and gouge

It tucks away
Memories of pain
Ripping through flesh
Raw and visceral

In the space 
between thoughts
Wrapped in cling film
For future use

Only to be brought to light
If you bother 
To get close enough 
————————————————-
The visceral pericardium 
is adherent to the heart 
Peel it away and the heart bleeds
And bleeds
And bleeds