Hands – Muhammad Hidhir Bin MD Razak

A friend once told me that she could read
My palms and tell me my future, that
There was a line for my love life, and
Another for health and even one for wealth.

And it reminded me of that time when
Atok took my hands and teased me,
About how soft and smooth they were.

And this reminded me of when I took
Abah’s hands in mine to kiss it,
The way I do every day before I leave
For school, and noticed how hard and
Callused they were, like a piece of paper
Scrunched up and smoothened,
Again and again.

And this contrasted sharply with Ibu’s,
Whose palms were lined and weary.
I often imagined them rippling at my touch.

And all their hands seemed to push me
To tell my friend that I could probably
Read her palms as well, and tell her all about
Her past and present and how both were
Someone else’s future.

(Atok: Grandfather, Abah: Father, Ibu: Mother)