The Kind Of Hands
You've got the kind of hands
that would look good through a cat's cradle -all
fingers and strings and a dextrous twisting
of palms and the backs of palms.
But these hands don't support,
don't illustrate or amplify;
these hands are conversation
and their flamboyance paralyses
your mouth into invisibility;
their volume stuns your words into mime.
I've seen those hands gloveless,
ringless, naked of polish and cigarettes
and I could watch them all day.
I couldn't be more mesmerised if they were Pilate's,
dipping, wringing and sidestepping,
absolved of all responsibility.
I'm as speechless as you are soundless -eyes
and ears on your hands.
My hands are muscular and feminine
and don't fascinate you
but it's your hands we're talking about here
and the details aren't easy.
Even that gesture you make,
that scything stroke of emphasis, can't be recorded
as accurately as you execute it
and I've seen you do that a dozen times tonight
and could still watch it over;
watch the wedge of your hand at heart level
being meaningless and mean
at one and the same time.
Page(s) 28
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