The Space Between

Somewhere in the space between
Where your hand reaches to touch me
Lies all who've dared touch me before
The wretched bones and the hearts so pure.

The ones who've left me broke and bent
The ones who've gripped until their hearts were spent
The casual taps and the hate-filled shoves
The bruised hand prints and the tightest hugs.

The air's electric all around me
Please let your touch be one that astounds me
Because I've walked this path a hundred times
It's like it makes a loop and then rewinds.

The stiffened arms and silent glares
The pained looks and the slack jawed stares
I never meant to put up this electric fence
But the years have taught me it's my best defense.

Sticks and stones have broken my hope
The words and taunts frayed my last rope
And in the midst of it all I withdrew my heart
Buried it behind all the broken parts.

Don't let your hands be the last break
The hurt that becomes all I can take
Because the me you see across the space between
Is all that's left after all who've touched me.