looking at their hands
pressing at their callouses
digging into their skin
praying they’ll be gentle with you
and that these hands will show mercy
these hands won’t hurt you
looking at their hands
tracing their lines
telling a story
looking into their past
and trying to figure what came before you
these hands are still unfamiliar to you
looking at their hands
grasping them firmly
clinging to them hopelessly
clasping them in the mockery of a prayer
and resisting the urge to make them your god
these hands aren’t here to save you
looking at their hands
touching them lightly
running over their brittle joints
caressing their scars
and loving their worst parts
these hands need you too
looking at their hands
taking their hands into yours
covering their hands with yours
protecting them from a battered world
and remembering to hold onto them forever
these hands stand with you
Cover Photo Source: Heidi Burton Illustration