Release (2009)

shadows of hands
covering her face
removed only for a peek
at the street where they
are to meet

this reverie lacks bliss
her skies change
hands remain
in arthritic lonliness

where is he who
she awaits
to nudge his nose
against the nap of her neck
hands release
for him to sneak a soft kiss

alone she sits
foolish with hope
analyzing the lines
on the palms of her hands
crooked and cracked
fatigued and sad

maybe just one last quick peek
but this reverie has
turned into a phantasm
beauty concealed
passion turning bleak

shadows of hands
covering his face
never removed even for a peek
arthritic lonliness encapsulate
the potential for belief
in love's release

wetness enshrine their mind's eye
distance kept
fingers spread
wishing the reverie dead