Heart

2026

I hope I have my grandfather's heart. 

One that tends seeds until they bear fruit of their own;
softens cruel truths with kind words;
tickles children into fits of giggles. 
One that keeps my name in the mouths of people I love 
going round and round from generation to generation 
on their lips like little smiling prayers. 
One that begets precious memories 
and stays loyal 
and knows secrets about my mother in her youth. 
A heart the community will name streets after. 
A heart renown for its gentleness. 
A heart that sings and soars and comforts and cares 
and kills me at age forty-eight in a massive myocardial infarction. 

I have his fair hair and hazel eyes. 
I hope I have my grandfather's heart.

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