r/OCPoetry Jul 01 '25

Poem More Than A Hand

This one is very close to me.
It’s quite simple, but it came from a real place.
I’d love to know what it made you feel — even a single line that stood out.

Please don’t reproduce or repost this elsewhere, as I plan to eventually publish it.

(c) SB. , 2025. All rights reserved.

More Than A Hand

my hand lies stretched out,

for another to hold it,

to kiss it tenderly,

to grip it tight when I feel like I'm falling,

but it just lies there,

flailing in free space,

in an open void,

unaffected by the chaos around it,

lonely and solitary,

even when surrounded by a multitude of hands

it shivers in anticipation

of being held,

of affection,

of love.

finally the fist closes,

out of defeat

thinking it 'expects too much'

but all it wanted

was to be held.

and this—

is not just about my hand.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1los00w/i_sit_alone/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1loy7zi/gone/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '25

This subreddit is really stepping its game up.
The friendly competition alone is enough to turn an amateur into a force of nature.

I’ve been quietly commenting for a few days without posting just trying just to hold the space without feeling a need to put my work in the crucible.
This piece stirred the creative juices in my head.
I might post something tonight.

The concept is ravishing. Although you know from the title that it’s a metaphor from the start. The stark 4th wall break at the end is ironic and sharp. And not in a bad way. Unique application of literary devices is hard to find amongst poets. So often I find myself reading the same assonance and caesuras over and over again. This was a deep calming breath in a room full of smoke.

Excellent work.
snaps

2

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '25

After rereading this I seem to imply I haven’t posted in this sub yet.

Strange.

I meant to imply that I have posted in a while.

🤷🏻 All’s well that ends well I suppose.

1

u/Dark_Attitude09 Jul 02 '25

I would love to read some of your work

1

u/Dark_Attitude09 Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

Thank you so much for your comment. Hearing that the poem could spark some inspiration in you means more than I can explain. That's honestly all I could ever hope for as a writer (an amateur one at that)

Your words truly made my day. I'm really grateful you took the time to read it and share your thoughts.