iteration

breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

sleep
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

sleep
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

sleep
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

wake
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

wash
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

coffee
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

cigarette
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

dress
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

work
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

work
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

relax
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

eat
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

relax
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

sleep
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

sleep
breathe in
breathe out
beat
beat beat

Continue iterations until cycle complete .....

sleep
sleep
sleep ...

On a bed in which I lay
A life I see
A century old path leading
To this moment
No matter the path I took
It all lead to this
At least in this I feel no pain
No sorrow
No regret
Soon I am to meet
All that brought others and me
Heart beat eighty

I can see the glows of the tears
Slowly falling down their cheeks
People I have brought together
By my own hand and the grace of fate
Mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters
People of my past of torn from the battles
United under the pressure of loss
People for the future
Are brought another lesson of life
People of present
Given another relief from inner waterfalls
Heart Beat Seventy

My wive is closest
My daughter is next
Whispering please don't go
The warmth I feel
Is from their breaking hearts
I sing the songs from which we first met
Trying my best not to sound goofy
Managing to ease the pain for only a moment
Lights start dancing around me
Family from what seemed each generation
Come to help me across the line.
Heart Beat Sixty

Her hair lays on my chest, feels like it did when we first met
On that summer day down by the river
The water rushing through our toes as we danced the song of the winds
Laughter filled the air
Fish even decided to join the chorus
The splash of their jumps changes the beat
Our hearts sync to it
The air is filled with love
Even the angel of death paused in admiration.
Chuckling "I guess it will be a while"
Heart Beat Fifty

My sisters all gather in tears while my brothers to stay strong
I whisper to them I was sorry
For not being there in a time of need
I told them what our time apart has caused
I told them in fear I would never see them again
They became ghosts to fill the gaping hole that held in my heart for times too long
Only to dig its depth
The middle and second of youngest sisters granted the forgiveness
The older that is closer to my number still eggs the stubborn head
My brothers never held a grudge
The youngest of eight, never held a love quite like the rest
But still understood the pain
Despite having been born during the aftershocks
Heart Beat thirty

The Lights grew brighter
No sound could move
When this began I could hear the cries of women
Bringing out the next of the world
I hear the shouts of children in pain
I could feel everything
But now there was nothing, but a pressure on my chest
Dogs have gathered on my body, next to my wife and daughter
Smiling at a sight long seen not
My wife's hears their breaths and cries even louder
But no sound could be heard
My daughter knew what was coming, and joined the tears too
I felt the tears like the waters of holy river
Cleansing the filth still clinging to my soul
Heart Beat Fifteen

The voices from the past start to enter
Encouraging words that all will be alright
Everyone around me has changed
From the old that they once were, to youth in which we first met
My grandparents who died in pain appeared by my side
Looked better then I could remember
My wife was once again 16, the year that we met
My children were babies, crawled by the animals that lay on my body
Grandpa tells me that "This is the last look, might as well enjoy,
"The fruits of my labor have grown, but for now I will see the seeds,
"Each breath I take unlocks the cage that my soul was trapped,
"So I may live,
"If there is anything you want to say, say it now"
Heart Beat ten

I lifted my hand to touch my wife, as I would when surprising her with a present
I asked for a pen and paper to write one last message
My time is running out
Heart Beat Nine

The Lights raise their hands to grant me a slice of strength
Enough to help with what was needed
"To my family, to my friends"
Heart Beat Eight
"If you need me and I am gone. Look to the Stars"
Heart Beat Seven
"My mind has always been there, it was only a matter of time..."
Heart Beat Six
"Before my body decided to follow. Remember the words I have said..."
Heart Beat Five
"For each was meant to guide you. Do not allow yourselves to fall apart because of petty..."
Heart Beat Four
"Wars. I taught you all to patch wounds as soon as they are made so that you will never lose touch..."
Heart Beat Three
"of who you are an where you came from. The devil himself tried to take me over, but I fought it by accepting who I was. Do not argue over difference, do not blame any new lives that enter in the place of the lost..."
Heart Beat Two
"And do not stop being a family. Take my words and grow. I love you all with all my heart and I want you all to remember that no matter the trouble. I want you to remember that I will be still be here at your side protecting you every step you take. As will our ancestors. Use your gifts well and use them to help others. Please."
Heart Beat One
"With Love, Dakota. Blessed Be"






Heart



Beat



Zero

A weekend hymn is playing,
this is what I hear it saying,

Sounds of music, people swaying,
people coming, people staying,

Get a drink cuz' I'm buying,
have a ball, I ain't lying,
don't be alone at home & crying,
instead of feeling like you're dying,
people at the door are vying,
for a little spot I'm spying,

Grab a coat
& clear a throat,
  baby let's go hit a note,
wouldn't wanna miss the boat,
I tell you in special quote,
...this is what I wrote,

I hear it play,
a fiddle say,

Find,
that beat,

That beat,

That beat, that beat, that beat,

Just like a heart

it beats, & beats & beats

it beats, & beats

A pounding in my chest

repeats, repeats,

That beat,

repeats,

that beat,

that beat,

that beat, that beat, that beat,

that beat,

it beats,

& beats & beats & beats

repeats, repeats,

so come in off the streets,

repeats,  
  re-beats,

beat, beat, beat, beat, beat,

& beat again,
repeat,

I play it in a song ,
as  you hit repeat,
& you move along,
as music it re- beats,

Move across the floor,
& quickly move your feet,
come along my darlin',
get up off a seat,

So clap along with me
in one-two
harmony,

Tap along with me
be happy as can be,

Clap a little
tap a little
rap a little
see,

Then tap your feet,

Then you find a  beat,

repeat, repeat,

I'm tellin' you a treat
  it's feelin' really neat,

I feel again a beat,
re-beat, re-beat
re-beat,

Come with me my sweet,

Rap a knuckle on a tree,
pick a banjo, slap a knee,
count it now, one two, three,

Swing your darlin'
'round the room,
dip her back
just like a groom,
put in her hair,
a lovely bloom
it reeks of fun,
a strong perfume,

Prominade & dosey doe
tip her back & dip her low,
walk the floor now,
to & fro,
keep your lady right in toe,

Twirl your baby 'round & round
then bring her back,

Right back around her,
then bring her back
to where you found her,

Twist & shout let's move about,
time for you to let it out,
lifting up a silly pout
we'll do again, again,
no doubt,

Weekend's here so have some fun,
relief from feet been on the run,
work for most well it is done,

This is really quite a sight
we dance around a drunken fight,
it gave us just a tiny fright,

So,
just dance a dance with me tonight ,
baby hope you're feelin' right
I have right here just one invite,

Glad you came with me in spite,
'cuz tomorrow we will write.



Cherie Nolan © 2016