The Journey Inward

I think I've always thought of us
as having two hearts -
a literal one and a figurative one.


The literal one gives us life,
pumping blood throughout our bodies,
delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells,
and removing waste;
a muscle that needs to be protected,
maintained, and strengthened.
That heart is literally our life giver.

The figurative heart was different, separate;
love an abstract concept,
a feeling or emotion,
a choice, a fancy, a high,
not real, not tangible.

But as I gazed at this artwork,
I wondered if there really was a difference.
Weren't both hearts life giving forces -
to ourselves and to others,
from ourselves and from others?

Both hearts deliver powerful nourishment to our bodies,
both hearts remove toxicity,
both hearts need to be protected, maintained, and strengthened.

Both hearts can feel pain and strain,
both hearts can be injured or damaged,
both hearts can be broken.

Both hearts are vital for survival.  

Photo:  Cabbagetown, Atlanta, GA.  11.8.24 by LA