what if I told you that calmness is a part of the skin?

what if I told you that safety is embodied in a goodbye touch? 

what if I told you that kindness is wrapped in a part of the body? 

what if I told you that compassion is found in the hand? 

 

that beautiful almost cheek-like soft raised part 

of your skin between your thumb and your finger 

what if I showed you that I still remember feeling 

so calm, so safe, such kindness, such compassion,  

by stroking that delicate part of your hand once again?

 

i sit at my favourite riverside bar on the thames 

where I go watch the river and hear the birds full of song

over spiced rum and coke, I ruminate these ‘what if’s’

as I’m sat by myself at a table for one.