hands that connect under a kitchen table over morning coffee and bagels

hands that slip under jacket folds in the crisp winter

hands that fumble together during the darkest point of the night

hands that meet in a bag of popcorn like shy children

hands that brush together turning the page of a book

hands that fit like two puzzle pieces uniting to complete a beautiful picture

hands that feel like a minuscule hug

hands that press together, palm to palm, joint to joint, vein to vein, heart to heart

hands that do not bring harm

hands that do not preclude brokenness

hands that are never feared

hands that are not lifted, but hands that uplift

a gentle hand

a familiar hand

my hand

your hand

intertwined