Hand - Carol Ann Duffy

Hand

Away from you, I hold hands with the air,

your imagined, untouchable hand. Not there,

your fingers braid with mine as I walk.

Far away in my heart, you start to talk.

I squeeze the air, kicking the auburn leaves,

everything suddenly gold. I half believe

your hand is holding mine, the way

it would if you were here. What do you say

in my heart? I bend my head to listen, then feel

your hand reach out and stroke my hair, as real

as the wind caressing the fretful trees above.

Now I can hear you clearly, speaking of love.

Carol Ann Duffy, Rapture, 2006. 

Lygia Clark: Dialogue of Hands