Hank Helman

Hank Helman Dec 2024

?

I keep waiting for this other me,
To arrive and take over.

Where is he?

Hank Helman Dec 2024

Better

Every person I meet,
My first instinct,
Is to apologize.

I'm sorry.
Please forgive me,
I should have done better.

Hank Helman Dec 2024

D

My father hated me.
I think I was a mistake.

I should have said I'm sorry,
And wandered far away.

Hank Helman Dec 2024

Was

I never once saw my mother cry,
Even as I held her hand while she died.

And yet she was the saddest person I have ever known

Hank Helman Dec 2024

Hands

I once fell off a horse,
And hit the ground so hard I could not breathe.

Later in the same day, an empty swing,
In a playground.
Hit me right in the forehead.

We weren't tougher back then.
We were alone.

Hank Helman Dec 2024

Twig

When I was 7,
A firecracker blew up in my hand.

Oddly in taught me nothing.
I think I'm a slow, stubborn twig.

I guess it finally has.

Hank Helman Dec 2024

Tiggs

When I hold your hand,
Only then I do not wonder,
About the meaning of it all.