In matters of the heart
The North and South are poles apart,
The East and West know it best,
Better than all the rest.

Blood is warm and sometimes cold,
Also lukewarm, I am told;
Circulation on temporary hold,
If the arteries are very old.

Collateral damage, I also hear,
Strokes are another fear.
Diabetes exacerbates,
Crazy jumpin’ heart rates.

It’s a funny old thing, the heart,
It’s only a muscle, the old tart,
Fickle as a tart is,
The old heart is complex biz!

It’s up to mischief occasionally,
For no reason that I can see,
Time then to see a cardiac jack,
Who’ll tell you to lay off the cigarette pack.

I’m sick and tired of my aching heart,
Can’t fall in love, for a start;
’Cos love does an excitement impart,
Which they say ain’t good for the heart.

I really don’t know how much the doc knows
When he can’t see how blood flows;
There’s always an end to all ‘starts’ 
So long live all beating hearts!

(The author is a prolific poet who has over 30 poetry books to his credit. He can be reached at ashoksawhny06@gmail.com/ www.ashoksawhny.com)