Misfired Gesture

gray0328

 

It wasn’t meant to sting.   

I swear, my fingers reached humbly,  

a truce offering dressed as an olive branch.   

But your face sharpened,   

the air between us went brittle.  

 

It's strange how intentions can crack,  

falling like porcelain, splitting quietly.  

My hand hung there, a bridge  

no one dared cross.  

The moment stretched wide, awkward—   

the kind of quiet young moons inherit.  

 

You shifted back, shoulders locking,  

mistrust pooling at your feet.   

I wanted to say: “Not like that.  

I didn’t mean…” but the words quivered,  

took three steps in the wrong direction.  

 

Isn’t that how it always happens?   

Meaning breaks like a fever  

and we’re left holding the clammy sheets,  

fingers too clumsy to fold the fabric  

into anything resembling apology.  

 

I don’t know whose silence was louder  

when you turned away first.  

All I know is my hand  

still remembers where it paused,  

halfway to hope.

  • Author: gray0328 (Offline Offline)
  • Published: October 16th, 2026 07:34
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 14
Comments +

Comments3

  • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

    Flows wonderfully my friend, much enjoyed

  • sorenbarrett

    This one stung. I can't speak for others but I have been there and it hit close to home. A familiar not too comfortable feel in these words Gray. That is what good poets do take the familiar, wring emotion out of it and put it on the page. Nicely done

    • gray0328

      Thank You Soren

      • sorenbarrett

        A pleasure Gray

      • Friendship

        Nicely done



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