The Substitute – Part 9

I held the rock above my head
And watched with adoring eyes
How beautiful it seemed
With the moon as the backdrop

I placed it gently upon a larger rock
And looked for a tool to carve open my chest
Take my heart out and dump it in the sea
But I could not find anything sharp
Or pointy to carry out my surgery
I lamented my luck and cursed my heart

“How do I get you out of my chest?
Tell me, what could I do to drive you away
You miserable, wretched thing
You cause nothing but pain
All these years you have accumulated grief and sorrow
And used them to strike me repeatedly
I am exhausted
Not a single moment of joy have you kept inside
Not a single moment of love or appreciation can I remember
Why? Why? Why are you so troublesome?
What pleasure do you derive?
Pack your bags and leave
There’s no place in me for uninvited guests
You have overstayed your welcome
Now is the time for you to go
Go! Go!
I have found a substitute
A perfect replacement
It will not attack me or hurt me
It will not hoard bad memories
It will do what I want it to do
It will be my companion
Go away you wicked beast!
Take your savage form and leave!”

Presently I felt a jolt
A strong, shaking, shivering feeling
My chest ripped open and
Out stepped my heart