“Shaking a Big Man’s Hand” by Chris McCurry

Here’s an unexpected infancy.

No other sense of small
could describe this clutch
this grasping of hands.

It’s possible he doesn’t
notice my embarrassment
though we both know
the same language
of hands and eyes
when two men meet.

Then it is done, and I drop
my hand to my side
then push it into
the cradle of my pocket.

Why didn’t I squeeze harder?

His jacket had brown buttons.

-Chris McCurry

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