Something Precious

Navaris Darson

I would gladly take his cold, 

black, shriveled-up heart—

as hard as a lump of coal 

in a tightly clenched fist

And if he would let me,

I’d hold his heart to mine,

beneath my warm hands 

until the fingers unfurled 

and the dark, gray chalk 

crumbled slowly away

To reveal something 

softer—more precious 

than a diamond 

November 12, 2019