What's Wrong with My Heart by Gillian Shiels | One Poem Only

What's Wrong with My Heart by Gillian Shiels | One Poem Only

Author: Maggie Devers May 11, 2026 Duration: 1:16

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.

What's Wrong with My Heart

Gillian Shiels

My heart is a little broken:
Sometimes it does too much ticking
And not enough tocking.
It’s an electrical signal disruption,
They tell me.
I take my tablets every day
And they help.
Most of the time.
But I worry.
I can’t help it.
Over the years,
This poor heart of mine
Has been shattered so many times.
It has been battered,
Bruised,
Ached so badly
I was sure I would die.
It has expanded
And contracted.
Been scorched by flames
I mistook for lasting warmth.
Still, I will continue to take my tablets.
And whisper to my heart in the night,
As if it were a fragile bird,
Beat on,
sweet heart,
beat on.

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Each day, One Poem Only offers a brief, deliberate pause. Hosted by Maggie Devers, this podcast is built on a simple, consistent premise: a single poem, read aloud, without analysis or introduction. It’s an audio space where the words themselves are the event, a performance meant to be absorbed in the few minutes it takes to hear it. The daily rhythm of the show creates a quiet ritual, a point of reflection woven into a busy life. You might hear a classic sonnet, a piece of modern free verse, or a work from a poet you’ve never encountered. The selection is varied, touching on themes from the natural world to the intricacies of human emotion, always leaving room for your own interpretation. The effect is cumulative; listening regularly becomes a subtle form of education in the sound and scope of poetry, and a small act of self-care. This isn't a lecture or a book club, but a performing art delivered directly to your ears. Maggie’s clear, thoughtful readings provide the only framework needed, allowing each poem to stand entirely on its own. The curtain falls, and the moment passes, but the podcast invites you to return tomorrow when a new piece takes center stage, offering another quiet moment, one poem only.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

One Poem Only
Podcast Episodes
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