The Handshake

‘He knew the handshake was

Inadequate to the moment.

But his damn upbringing and

Tight cultural norms were

Too embedded in his bones

For him to do different.

The outstretched handshake

Was all he could muster in

This moment of despair.

Whereas, if he dared follow

His heart he would take me

In his arms and hold me tight

To his chest, and cry out ‘No’

To the unbearable grief

Reflected in his broken eyes.

And I would have known then

What has taken me years

To understand for myself.

- Eamonn Kirke