Heartbeats

Heartbeats 

What if we're born with 

a predetermined number

of heartbeats 

and, when they're gone, 

we're gone? 

Just in case it's true,

I'm not going to waste mine 

running down some road 

in silly spandex pants

and a jog bra.

I'm going to make my 

thumping little tickets last

as many years as I can, 

especially since

at my age, 

I've already used up 

a hell of a lot them

just getting here. 

I'll spread the rest out. 

I'll save them 

for what's important, 

like running away from 

something (or someone) bad. 

I also intend to use a lot of them 

for making love. 

If life really is a journey 

and not a destination, 

I might as well enjoy myself 

along the way ... 

CJ Heck