His hands are my hands

The soft gentleness is like my hands

Skimming over me

Safe, light, free

I can feel again

The warmth of caresses

Piece together little by little the fragments

Of the woman that I could have become

Unlearning the feel of the boot in the rib

Nails of a backhanded blow to the cheek

These are the men I know

Men of the vice, the iron fist

Click clack marching onward

Single file soldiers of misfortune

Who move like automaton shadow figures

Onward unthinking with blank eyes

Forgetting the sting of the whip

The shock of the strike that could not

With even the greatest force cause submission

Eyes ablaze on my knees, I would not give

What would be taken by anger

These memories of men poison my heart

To love them is to risk all for I fear now

Their hands that can love or destroy

My submission comes only in love

I will give all I am in the world honey eyed

Mind body soul all laid at his feet to

Live on the sweet kisses of my dearest

Rest my head in the warmth of his chest

To sleep to the drumming of a fierce heart

Lay my life in the broad strength of the hands

Of a man strong enough to live in gentleness

 Like a fool I believe in the mirrors of your hands

That reflect the love I give back in tender touch

Reach to wipe my tears & softly stroke

Away yesterdays with sweet promises of better tomorrows

Leaving me full of dreams resting quietly in your arms

Holding the loud din of the world outside

I am finally loved though I am scarred & bruised

Put together again, made whole by you

 C. Nichols 04/09