Ravenheart: Her Black Heart by Valerie Parente

That woman had a ravenheart
so burnt and charred
buried in her chest
like a pounding scar.

She lived in the dwelling
dwelling on the pain
and when the prince came to save her
she hid deep in her cave.

She cried, “Don’t get too close to me
I have a black heart
you will never be safe
within my arms.”

He countered, “Your worry is warped
my dear, fear no death
your black heart is no curse
it’s the channel for your depth.

No surface absorbs light
as well as the color black
what you say you destroy
is what you attract.

Step out, into the world
you’d be surprised how wonderful it is
to interact with it all
and feel the sun on your skin.”

With black veins like branches
she revealed herself
and her black heart raced
at the sight of someone else.

– Valerie Parente (10-4-2025)