I chased my heart out of my chest and into the woods.
I hid her in the shadows of old growth trees,
beneath brambles enough to entangle rabbits.
I sat with my heart amid the leaves and vines,
holding her until fires died and birds went to nest
and coyote mothers called their pups to move
in the darkness. Undetected,
my heart and I were perfectly silent,
still as stone.
I learned to leave her there
nestled in the moss against a large oak
of many years my acquaintance.
And without intention, I walked out
and left her as she rested.
I decided to sit with my heart
in the woods again, forgetting
that I’d left her until I found her
there in that hidden spot.
I fell in love and wrapped her in my arms.
Placed her gently in my chest.
Reclaimed.