Listen to the Heart
By John Herlihy

Listen to your heart
That beats upon your drum.
Listen to its beating
That resounds in a steady hum.
Listen to the life force
That surges forward on its course.
Listen to the whispers
That utter secrets of misery and remorse.
Listen to the pain
That shouts out horrible cries.
Listen to the emotion
That moans pitiful sighs.
Listen to the heart’s command
That scolds us in reproach.
Listen to the delicacy of the heart
That shatters into pieces like glass.
Listen to the footsteps
That dance with joy in the heart.
Listen to the temple gong
That resounds in waves from the heart.
Listen to the voices of the heart
That sing, oh but how they sing.
Listen to the heart strings
That play a mournful tune.
Listen to the tears
The heart will shed over the years.
Listen to the heart that breaks
Now on the mend for its own sake.

Hello heart,
My companion and friend,
You are with me to the end.
To the very last beat,
As I walk down the street.
When I lay down to rest,
One last time,
Never to get up again,
I will listen to my heart,
As it gives itself away.