“An Odyssey of Touch” is a small collection of haiku about E.M. Billington’s journey with physical touch, from being deprived of it, to gaining and losing it, to finding it again.
i.
cold hands and dry eyes
my family does not hug
unless saying bye
ii.
staple remover
pinch my skin under the desk
pain and some pleasure
iii.
music and candles
the hand under the covers
is always just mine
iv.
they call me robot
not understanding of love
i just smile and laugh
v.
sitting on the bus
your leather jacket on me
feels like paradise
vi.
after you have gone
i buy a leather jacket
reminds me of you
vii.
when i’m in college
i learn how to hug again
warmish and tearful
viii.
embrace long and tight
with a girl i just now met
never let me go.
Photo: “hands”, copyright-free from Canva.