tenuous

"tenuous"

I keep dreaming an image 

of your hand clasped 

in mine, 

interlocked fingers 

with each one 

over 

the other 

slightly bent inward 

holding tightly 

each other's hands. 

I can't seem 

to get it out of my dreams, 

it's an image I know I have seen 

so many times before 

in reality, 

   but know now 

   I won't again 

   outside of my dreams.

I can still see vividly 

the textures of your skin, 

the hue and creases 

of your hand, 

your painted fingernails, 

the tiny scar you have 

on your knuckle, 

I can still even remember 

how cold your hands 

always seemed to be, 

always wanting to warm them 

with mine.

I would from time to time 

turn your hand over 

and look at the fine lines 

stretching across 

your palms 

gently sliding the tip 

of my finger 

over your heart line 

before touching 

your entire palm with mine 

and sliding my fingers in between yours

and holding your hand like 

it would be forever.

-Armando Torres