Frank Prem

B of E #14: a pride in hands

she has been through his pockets
through his wallet
looked at the collection of receipts
read the scribbled note
on the back of a business card
made the call
heard the voice
remained silent

 

understood

 

~

 

she was proud of her hands once
soft skin
long fingers
so suited for the piano
she\'d loved to play
that he used to listen to

 

now she thinks them ugly
useless
knotted joints and stiffness
ragged nails
no more piano

 

ha

 

no-one to listen anyway

 

~

 

she knows where he\'s been
where he is right now
she shouldn\'t know
shouldn\'t have gone searching
through his private space
but what real choice was there

 

and now she is waiting
trying to decide
act the fool
or deal with it

 

stay or go

 

how

 

~

 

she rubs her hands together
listens to the rasping sound they make
studies the lines and lumps
thinks
when did they
grow so ugly

 

~