the divided things

so much can happen
with the palm of the hand
the way it cups the small of the back
or holds a cheek during a kiss
the way it warms itself on the skin of a stomach
under pliant cotton sheets
its earnest support of a neck
to prevent cramping
or just for the benefit
of comfort.

the palm of the hand
this soft animal body
and something about the permissive
hour before sleep
the desire to hold, engage, commune
through the simplest touch
collapsing the space between the divided things
a hand, the neck, a stomach, skin, the back, a cheek
this bridging between us
my palm, your back
my palm, your skin
and what becomes neither mine
nor yours
but just me and
you.