I remember the hands
my fathers, my mothers
hands I knew by feel
there were others too
a woman, her husband
each reaching
reaching
touching my head, my neck
my arm
nurturing touches
comfort, caring
nothing demanding
rough or heavy
I remember hands
tearing fabric and skin
leaving blood to trickle
harsh hands finding ways
to hold me down
finding ways
to keep me silent
Then a lovers hands
finding ways to comfort
to heal scarred skin
mend torn fabric
finding ways to soften
I remember hands
a grandmothers, a mothers
hands that know comfort
A Criminal, a rapist, a victim
hands that know damage
I remember a laying
on of hands finding
hardship, an aching
a peace
I remember hands
