it’s hard to admit
there is no center
where you thought one was.

you were sure it was there.
you felt it.
and so went looking for
the place it should be.

and there you found nothing.

instead of finding
the anticipated end
you found a
winding,
forking,
complicated path.

what you imagined a heart
is really an artery.

and upon inspection
only find another layer to
peel back,
rip off,
or burn altogether.