The Drum Beat of My Heart

Heart beating faster,
A long, drawn out pulse of a drum,
Of pounding feet on unpaved streets.
Mind reeling, spinning, faster beyond control,
Waiting, attempting patience,
Reminding myself to breathe.
Stomach in knots, churning..
Tension in previously unknown muscles,
Building, cramping, each minute with each thought,
A hallow in my chest waiting to be filled.
A lump in my throat that never leaves
Never eases
Never ceases.
There’s a ringing in my ears of whispers
Telling me to hold on
Reminding me to be strong
The whispers sing songs of far away lands
Of unknown adventures,
Of friends I’ve yet to shake hands.
The songs weave lyrical tales of peace and harmony
Of new ideas and creative thoughts,
Of a new reason to want.
The beating drum of my heart,
Nearly dancing right out of my chest,
It’s a dance for all the things to be,
For the Peace Corps,
And even a little
for me.