It had been there for the longest time

A nail in place of this heart of mine

Eyes blank and wandering in darkness

I never understood why it was mine

But it always burned

 

Cold and made of iron it was

A single touch of warm flesh made it hiss

So I would try to pretend nothing was amiss

As my fingers traced the swirls I'd cringe

Yes, it always burned

 

I called it my heart and one love

And it would only continue to hiss

As I caressed the point

No, nothing was amiss

But it always burned

 

One day I awoke

Blinded and naked

Something was amiss

 

My skin raw and stinging

My eyes wide and piercing

The nail was gone

 

Tears splashed as they hit the aching hole

Hands roaming and touching every empty curve

I knew not where to go

I knew not what to feel

But it no longer burned

 

Feet are cold against the concrete

I had begun walking again

An emptiness is always present

But I smile now for the passing days

It never burns