Heartbeats

(Dedicated to the nurse who saved my life, and to my husband, my rock.) Pain in my chest, but I played it cool Cooked up dinner like a stubborn fool Held my breath and hid the strain Googled signs while fighting pain Went pale and quiet, clutched my chest My husband saw, no time to rest He grabbed the keys, into the car Straight to the ER, not very far Days in the hospital, nights in a haze Fluorescent skies, the monitor plays Another ECG, another blood test A human pincushion... just let me rest! My heart beats, still unbroken Every breath, a fragile token I’m still alive, I’m still here Facing down the fear Five heart attacks in five long days Machines around me, a foggy haze They found the block but turned away Said meds would fix it, not today The pain came back, a burning wave No one listened, I had to be brave One nurse stepped in, refused to wait She called it out, changed my fate She saw the signs that all had missed, Read the pain I couldn’t dismiss. She made the call, stood firm and true, Pushed the doctor to follow through. The artery blocked, no time to spare, Thanks to her, I’m still here to care. Her strength and voice saved my life that day, I owe her more than words can say. Days in the hospital, nights in a haze Sun rises, sets, I’m stuck in this maze Another ECG, another blood test A human pincushion... just let me rest! My heart beats, still unbroken Every breath, a fragile token I’m still alive, I’m still here Facing down the fear Low blood pressure, pale skin Another canular, can they get it in? No more blood, just hollow veins But still they searched and stuck again My favourite blood lady found a vein A gentle touch that eased the pain I gave a smile through gritted teeth Just trying hard to breathe beneath He stayed through days, through longest nights Held my hand through the hardest fights We spoke the words we had to say In case I didn’t make the day He kissed my head, tried not to cry As I was wheeled away from his side Days in the hospital, nights in a haze But I’ve been gifted brand new days Another ECG, another blood test A human pincushion... just let me rest! My heart beats, still unbroken Every beat, a thankful token With metal bits now in my heart I get to live life, a brand new start Heart beats, keep it going I’ve got more to give, more to find Not ready to leave this place This life, this time, it’s mine