Heart Surgeon - By Amira Dayana

Written By: Amira Dayana

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Amira Dayana presents her evocative poem "Heart Surgeon." This profound piece delves into the intricate themes of love, loss, and healing with a vivid exploration of the human heart, both metaphorically and literally. Through her compelling writing style, Amira, who writes under the name Heart Surgeon, invites readers into a world where the boundaries between physical and emotional healing blur, set against the backdrop of her profound experiences.

About the Work

"Heart Surgeon" is a masterful exploration of the heart's fragility and the complex emotions tied to it. Amira Dayana weaves a narrative filled with vivid imagery and raw emotion, capturing the reader's attention with her poignant portrayal of loss and the haunting memories of past love. The poem's evocative language and rhythm mirror the tumultuous journey of healing, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who delves into its depths.

Heart Surgeon

Original Submission by Amira Dayana

I became a cardio surgeon so I could hold a human heart in my hands

Because the last time I did, I was sixteen

The blood had soaked through my layers to the core

And my hands moved at the rhythm his heart should've

Keeping it beating as if it could change anything when it was already out of his chest

But I was the one who had done so,

I'd taken a steak knife to his ribcage and carved his heart out while he was starry-eyed,

Splitting open its chambers the way he'd let me into his

It was fragile, see

I'd promised him and he had convinced me

I could keep it beating

And I tried, I tried,

I think my heart might've died

Just as he did (we did)

But I became a heart surgeon

And once upon a miracle, I would hold one again

Placing a heart from a cold cadaver

Into the cavity of a soul who could make it anew

They would walk away with a scar and a sutured lifeline

While a muscle not so much as stirred in mine

Stiff and stuck and lost in time

As if buried six feet under, too

My friend worked in the mortuary, I wondered if I should join her

She said she'd gotten used to the cold but it was no life here

And I could've chosen general surgery, but I'd always had a weakness for frail hearts

I could've worked in a lab instead but I had no patience for tiny parts

I needed him wholly when I loved him once and he left me scattered when we were done

But back then I thought that the bloodshed was fun

I think I should quit and become a writer again

He'd said my words made his heart soar and his cheeks red

Maybe my words could do what my hands had

Without leaving them stained scarlet

Soothing my ailments with sonnets and prose

Where I can't hear the stuttering lifeline when somebody goes

And remember that it was silent when I felt his ghost

I think it doesn't matter what I do

Dear departed, there's a cemetery in my head for every time I think of you

Different people in every casket, and in them all I saw

Your eyes, or your smile,

Oh, the way you made me feel worthwhile

But your memory lies in every beating heart in my hands

While mine lies in your grave embrace

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the diverse voices and creative expressions of writers worldwide. This annual event provides an opportunity for poets and writers to share their unique stories and perspectives, fostering a vibrant community of literary talent. Participants are encouraged to explore various themes, pushing the boundaries of creativity and literary excellence.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Amira Dayana for sharing her poignant poem, "Heart Surgeon," with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of the delicate interplay between love, loss, and healing offers readers a profound and moving experience. We look forward to witnessing more of her exceptional work in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.