Inspired by Phil

Shaking fingers, wrestling in his lap, an old man asks
“What will happen to my heart?”
Doctor flips his chart, not giving it a second thought.
“Sent for research, nothing more.”

The old man looks down at his trembling hands,
considers, “What happens to my whole heart?”
Doctor, confused, stares. “I just told you.”
The old man opens his mouth, but no sound.

How do you ask someone to comprehend the soul?
What its lived through, been through, torn apart,
and spit out from? How do you measure it and be able to say
“I’m fine,” and actually mean it?

Doctor looks back at the man. “Any other questions?”
The old man holds back tears, a swirl of anxiousness,
How will I live after this? He thinks. He replies
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Whole Heart (read aloud)