1.

Almost

How are the treatments going?
My voice cracks in the middle of that answer
but I keep it together
it’s what I was trained to do.
He slowly holds out his hand,
reaches for my arm.
Gently first.
Then firmly.
Then lets go.
He can see how much pain I’m in
but I am not his enough
for him to do anything about it.
Still
I am grateful to be witnessed.
Even if it’s just the ghost of a grip
on my arm.