I went to a cosmetics store

to buy some lotion

Tried to describe my type of skin

to the store clerk, a kind woman

She led me over to a sink

and held my hand in it

And washed it so carefully

for what felt like a minute

And I felt a tear running down my cheek

There in the store

I hid it quick

I didn’t expect 

to react like that

It’s just that there’s been a grief,

I’ve tried to carry with grace

A heart that broke

while I kept a straight face

A hand that forgot

what it’s like to be held,

what it’s like to be grazed