artificiality doesn't live here

Juliette Brookman

a heart-shaped cookie.

does it beat?

does it break?

it’s as sweet as yours.

it’s within me

as yours is,

taking up the empty space

that i didn’t know

needed to be filled.

a void i was unaware of,

you snuck your way in

and masked it

with love and affection.

i hope it’s warm

where my ribs and blood

live and circulate.

snuggle up to my

pulsing drumbeat

and let it lull

you to sleep.

i’ll keep it soothing for you.

my heart has been

mended by you,

fusing with your fast

rhythms of life,

with your bright eyes

and bandaged soul.

as long as you stay close,

my heart won’t end up

like it’s cookie imitation.