grandfather

whisper thank you,
bitten words
mumbled
trembling at the sound of
shame
when you know you
mean to say more
you wish you knew
how to say more
reaching out for the tones
of a language that is supposed to be yours
how do you even begin as he
traces history
on his left hand and
hands you the remote
with his right
green veins splayed on skin
like rushing tunnels
of buried memories

the stories
dissipate into the blue
screen

what language
does silence speak
but anticipation and
closed eyes

grandfather

whisper thank you,
bitten words
mumbled
trembling at the sound of
shame
when you know you
mean to say more
you wish you knew
how to say more
reaching out for the tones
of a language that is supposed to be yours
how do you even begin as he
traces history
on his left hand and
hands you the remote
with his right
green veins splayed on skin
like rushing tunnels
of buried memories

the stories
dissipate into the blue
screen

what language
does silence speak
but anticipation and
closed eyes