Papery thin

wafer biscuit fingers

carress with

strength surprising

hold fast and dear

the smoothness

of my insecurity

and tell me

most gently 

a whisper

that holds my heart

caught in your crooked

bent hands that hold 

time and have paid the

price for it

you tell me most gently

while you trace the 

lines written on

my palms you define

me as you read so

gently

exactly me

and what I want 

the lines to say

and you say

so softly

looking at me

with such love

that I am beautiful

and all at once

in your loving old wisdom

beautiful I become

and then I never saw you again

you left me

but not before

you told me

what we needed together

to say and hear

so gently

I miss your

paperywafer hands.