the grabbing hands

she had suddenly found herself growing weary-

weary of the men with grabbing hands.

grabbing at her uncovered flesh and often grabbing at her soul.

their kisses were like warm water on a humid summer day.

they always seemed to confuse their rush to undress her with a distant relative of “passion”

she yearned for soft hands that would caress instead of grope.

for those arms that would carry her above the burning coals.

so she let her mind dance around this new reality-

this reality of soft hands and strong arms.

because grabbing hands made her weary and she felt

it was time to live again.

Author: Iwalewa

Well, I've always had a passion for writing. I would describe myself as a feminist, a womanist and a humanist. Poetry is something I've developed a great passion for. Apart from that, I also spend time reading...although this might make me come about sounding like an introvert, I still like to think of myself as an extrovert! I love making new friends and meeting new people. I hope this blog allows others to share and enjoy my work and hopefully share their views and opinions about various issues :) View all posts by Iwalewa

3 thoughts on “the grabbing hands”

me says:

August 29, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Oh no! This rocks. <3!

How we mistake the flames of passion for the warmth of love. I love love love love this– and may just beg for a repost sometime.

I may not get over this until a very long time still.

Btw, how I have missed you on my page. We should meet sometime, no? If you're in Lagos, that is. Would be an honour. 🙂

Reply
1. Iwalewa says:
  
  August 29, 2015 at 3:46 pm
  
  Yes, it is so easy to confuse those two very contrasting emotions- Love and Passion- but they could not be more different. I think this poem is also a bit of a social commentary on the lack of depth and value we attach to our relationships these days. People are so scared of being vulnerable (not sure this is the word I want) and open to those they are in a relationship with whether familial, friendship or romantic. As a result we too often keep our emotions on the surface. And by doing so, we hope to create interactions that are cheap, quick and supposedly “pain-free” but that’s rarely the case.
  I mean “the grabbing hands”, could represent the dominate male but honestly “the grabbing hands” are many people.
  
  Thank you for rummaging through my extremely dusty blog! 😀 I haven’t written anything in a long while and I am not even sure why. Also, I have missed checking on your blog!!! I hope you have started publishing some of your work because the world needs to know you: Today, Now and Pronto.
  
  I do not live in Nigeria (yet). But I will certainly be back lol I do have those odd visits (sadly they are not very often 😦 ) I am hoping next year I will be able to sneak a visit in though and by then you better have a book that I can get your autograph with!! 😉 Thanks for sticking around 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. me says:
    
    August 29, 2015 at 6:02 pm
    
    True! And yes, i’ll say we stick to vulnerability. Just the word, IMO.
    
    Btw, pardon me awesome ma’am. I just have a big hopeful heart that I think everyone I love lives in Nigeria– and more precisely even, Lagos. Hehe.
    
    I’ll sure be looking forward to your visit. 🙂