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.

More from Gillian Shiels ↓


Support + Stay Connected to OPO

If you’d like to support the show, Substack and Patreon members receive a copy of my book, For My Daughter, along with episodes from the audiobook.

Poetry slows us down. Thank you for listening.


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
An Emblem of Wounds by Henry Opeyemi | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05
A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.An Emblem of WoundsHenry OpeyemiWe are in the middle of a conversation, thereflection of our lives upon glossy waters.We’re twice the age we…
Cycles by S. Salazar | Wednesday Double Feature | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17
Wednesdays on One Poem Only are a double feature: one poem here on the podcast, and one more by the same poet shared on Instagram.CyclesS. SalazarThe space in which my family occupies is a revolving door—each rotation mo…
Swan Dive by Maia von Maltzahn | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01
One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.Swan Dive by Maia von MaltzahnMaia von MaltzahnIt’s the kind of hotafternoon in Augustwhere the sun cracksyour mouth openso you can takea big gulp ofl…
The Call by Maggie Devers & Weekly Poetry Recap | One Poem More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:18
One Poem More gathers all of this week’s poems from One Poem Only—an unhurried chance to listen again, or catch what you missed.This week’s poemsno place like home by Abhilasha GhoshThe mind unmasked by Aliyah Morayobord…
To My Daughter Elizabeth by Mary Ann H. T. Bigelow | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27
One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.To My Daughter ElizabethMary Ann H. T. BigelowTwo flowers upon one parent stemTogether bloomed for many days.At length a storm arose, and oneWas bligh…
adulthood by Carlee Wilson | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03
One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.adulthoodCarlee Wilsongone are the days where my ceilingtwinkled with plastic magicand the only hou…
Inedible by Sera | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:26
A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.InedibleSeraI wish I could covermy body in spikes,become unappetizing,indigestible.I poke holes into my image,pour lighter fluid over it,flic…
The mind unmasked by Aliyah Morayo | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:13
One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.The mind unmaskedAliyah MorayoMy mind carries centuries.The rust of chains sits where dreams should bloom.It remembers the songs my ancestors could no…