My Heart is a Ladybug

259
A ladybug rests on a tan-brown background.

Life tightens its grasp on my heart,
presses down up all around until it’s a miniscule
speck of flesh, red
blood, the size of a speck of dust, a fruit fly.
My throat’s blocked off but I say what I need to:
hi, please, thank you, yes, sounds great. I’m great.
I get into bed, think and,
hope that tomorrow will yield a bigger heart,
at least one a bit bigger than a bug?
Maybe as big as a ladybug? Red,
and speckled with yesterday’s darkness.

What do you think about this topic? We want to hear from you!
Join the conversation!
Sasha Bryer-Gottesman
Sasha Bryer-Gottesman is a member of the class of 2025 at School Without Walls High School in Washington, DC. She enjoys playing clarinet in the DC Youth Orchestra, teaching piano, and playing on her school's lacrosse team.
Accompanying photo: “Ladybug” by Maddie Renert