Image by Roxana Kenjeeva

Poetry The Only Visit

Ben Purkert

last night I had a small problem
with my heart it kept beating doctor
inside someone else no doctor
I don’t know this other

person no I don’t know what
my heart wants who knows what
anything inside a body is after
only a wish to romp around

in the grass play in the sun doctor
can you do me a favor can you
cut yourself open and let me
look inside yes I clearly

see the problem now lie still
doctor think pleasant thoughts
the people who love you
are waiting outside

Ben Purkert is a poet and novelist. He’s the author of The Men Can’t Be Saved and For the Love of Endings.