these hands
have nurtured promise
and still
they let you go –
were not a lack
of privilege
to love you so
garnered fate –
feared your heart
might change the weight
of life –
prayed when there was
nothing
to defend
these hands
they’ve earned
the right to feel –
graced
a tender land
yearned for one last
mystery
with grace to
understand
you were mine
and I was here –
who shall write the rest
caught within your
wishes –
warmed beneath
your breath

. . .