Tenderness

Hands
I feel hands
creeping around my neck
fingers tapping
instead of squeezing
I'm being reminded
of time

Weak from
breathing too hard
I'm fearing the pressure
against my windpipe
all I feel are taps

I see
snakes in my dreams
how many
are around me
ready to strike
at my ankle


My ears are tortured
From cries
I haven't the heart to sooth
It makes me want to scream
and press the fingers in
why won't they close

I want to leave
I want to close my eyes
and wake
in a place of darkness
but all I feel is tapping

This retched feeling is
all the tenderness of this world
I will receive
I surrender the fear in me
fall forward
but the hands let go