I have lost the beat of your heart
No matter how I held it
Safe as a seashell in my palms.

Warm sand trickles out of me
A worn place, a hole
Not far above my ribs
From too much rubbing.

The blades of grass will not understand
Nor do the worms.
The cicadas above only mimic my heart's song.

I have lost it as I lose every sunset, every wave.
I am an animal skin, a false drum.

(2010)