because of your hands

[Ruth]

because I looked at them
and not your face,
your hands,
the floor, my feet, but mostly at
your hands

and so,
I saw the line suggesting
a creative lover,
one that shows
a clever mind,
fertile imagination, and
the mound by your thumb
that indicates passion

covertly
I read the meaning of your finger shapes
long and articulate,
the depth of your spirit
as you moved your hands, and spoke softly to me

my own hands were shaking
as I rocked
ever so slightly, back and forth

and as I write, I tremble
briefly
at the memory of your hands