Tag, You're It

You tally the hands

that have touched you

this week:

the deli lady

taking eight quarters

in her leathery palm

for commute coffee;

a coworker

tapping your arm

mid-story, for emphasis;

a misled combat nurse

or two, God bless 'em;

an old friend who tried

to cheat on his wife

after your handshake;

that off-duty masseuse

in fishnets and leather.

None of it adds up

to what you deserve

and

none of it adds up

to what you once did

and

none of it adds up

to what they say

a person needs

to persist

with paying the bills.

"You'll be fine," she said

on her way through the door

but she was only telling herself.

Forgiveness is a nice idea.