hearing
Emilie Hanson

1.
we say i love you
with our fingers.
only i take-up
the language; you use the manual
alphabet, are so S-L-O-W

it all blends: what was that

word? when did it end?
as though we don't expect it to.

2.

we miss each other's move-
ment when hearing: be still,
my hand, your hand on my hand,
and you whisper: did you undrstnd?

3.

i think the last word
is "A-L-S-O," but instead of asking
again i settle for silence.

i barely breathe, still

cannot hear what it is
you believe in. you breathe in.

1996 © 2006