Tradesies by Casey Lynn

We are sitting at a bench

Like the children sitting in the lunch rooms at school

I look over to you, when I think you can’t see

I see what is in your hands today

It is your heart.


You hold it in your still hand as it beats

For all the world to hear and watch

And spy


You look up and over to me

Surprised at my gaze

You hunch over the blazing organ in your hands

Ready to push it back inside

Cushioned by your lungs

Hidden and alone

Beating only to the darkness


But I act quickly

I do not mean to judge

I smoothly reach inside my own chest

And grasp my own heart


I hold it up to you letting you see it for yourself

Let you hear the independent drumming it creates

There are birds watching us.

But I say anyway, for the whole lunch room to hear

“Tradesies?”


You look at me

Unsure why anyone would want your heart

Your living breathing beautiful heart.


But then you smile

So big it chases the birds away

And you accept the offer

And we trade.


We spend the rest of the day sitting in the sun

Listening to the seagulls squall

And to the children as they play.