Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

I’m reviewing a left ventriculography

from a man with chest pain, MI ruled out,

his wife dead for a post-crash hour.

The scan shows his cardiac apex

bulging with each beat, shaped

like a takotsubo, an octopus trap

a Japanese cardiologist recalled

from his childhood fishing village,

the scan just another broken heart’s

beaten down story of futility and resilience.

And I will say, “I am sorry for your loss,”

explain the image, reassure him

his heart muscle will recover in a week,

all the time wishing I could hug him

with eight strong arms instead of two.