for charlie

I woke up before

the sun

paced sixty-six and a half paces

before dawn broke

my hands

are so swollen

from years of taking out

all my anxiety on them

crack 'em

sweat 'em

bite 'em

nick 'em

place 'em

lick 'em

bend 'em

extend 'em

play 'em

write 'em

hold 'em

hurt 'em

shoot up in 'em

you can see

the family resemblance

in more than just

our sad eyes

even our veins

are trying to escape