Hold.
choke.
choke more.
check me.
life line.
check mate.
fake case
suffa cate.
catch phrase
e rase
caught breath
brain dead
dread lock
lock down.
down cold
choke hold.
Hands that curl and uncurl around soda cans.
Hands that hold onto bus poles, hold on like
they’re clawing, clambering, drowning,
To let slip is to let go.
Hands that
are tiny, and fit into a palm
and curl around a finger
for security, for safety, for
Comfort.
Hands
that lay twitching on lonely table tops
twitch to the beat of loneliness, to drawn out breaths
to the stranger who never comes.
Hands
that salute to power, hands
that pluck out flowers, hands
that dig graves for the brave, the old, the forgotten,
and the Cherished.
Hands
that follow like a breeze around her waistline
as he steers her around the crowd, steers her to
Hands
that flourish pens, pencils, praises,
Hands
that she gently raises
to the Heavens every night in prayer.
Her hands
that pray for peace, for patience, for her
Salvation.