Carolyn Lovell

I Am

I am a muscle the size of a fist
I wonder how much oxygen I can push through the body
I hear my mitral and tricuspid valves open and close
I see red blood cells carrying oxygen to the body
I want to work hard
I am a muscle the size of a fist

I pretend I will always work
I feel the blood move from the atria to the ventricles
I touch the vena cava as it returns the blood to me
I worry I will weaken with age
I cry out in pain when I am broken
I am a muscle the size of a fist

I understand I am used as a metaphor
I say if I break, you may die
I dream of exercise and healthy food
I try to avoid trans fats
I hope to never have an attack
I am a muscle the size of a fist