|
Closing the Distance Stephen Gardner
Out of the shadows, a hand Reaches across a space of light, Fingers stretching to their fullest length, Parting the air that lies Around the arm that the hand Reaches for. To touch. The light Accents the arm, blond hair Becoming brown against white skin. Are there long nails? Painted, red And pointed? Yes. It is understood; And they are sharper than lies, Reach deeper than the truth, Making the blood flow freely, Evenly, from wounds so thin and clean That the touched arm feels no touch. They cut with the same unconscious ease With which the fingers stretch at limber joints, With which they slice through air. |
Return to Spring 2007 Table of Contents