“your hands are cold...”

what else to say in the face of a lifetime?
hearts being tugged against all better judgement
judgement revoked against all odds

I have never felt the burning revelation
of suddenly knowing, without pause
that this is perfectly and candidly correct
meant, even

I have only felt bursts of confidence,
yearning, uneasy progress
I have felt the veins rip away
from the source of the pain
I have felt my image shrink and unravel
realizing my frame, my spectre, my form
is most undesired

I long to be faced with the boldest proclamation
Earnest honesty
So unmasked it cannot be faced
So striking that all I can say in response is:

“your hands are cold...”