Crossing Fingers, Kissing Hands

Crossing Fingers, Kissing Hands

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

In its making, in
its quip and rhyme,
manicured or not,
the hangnail enshrined—

crossed, ringed, a rabbit’s paw,
solemn fingers, vowed
fingers and a hand…
the palm knows.

The wipe, the swipe,
the curtsey or bow, followed by
the hat temporarily
uncapped, not for the cat,

for the divine chanteuse
or the Can Can girls who
flourish in their turning-
into turning-into magic act—

where sawn in half
is not the final curtain.
Yes, this is no ha’penny
or dime-store show—

but no, not these fingers,
these tremulous digits
that twist wires
on knotty trellises—

where a rose vows
thorny allegiance to presidents
or kings whose generous squeezes
are the rub of a nation. O

yes, the hand, the hand,
the hand’s the thing,
that doting underside
of fatherly loving.

Support independent journalism that does not fall in line

Even before February 28, the reasons for Donald Trump’s imploding approval rating were abundantly clear: untrammeled corruption and personal enrichment to the tune of billions of dollars during an affordability crisis, a foreign policy guided only by his own derelict sense of morality, and the deployment of a murderous campaign of occupation, detention, and deportation on American streets. 

Now an undeclared, unauthorized, unpopular, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran has spread like wildfire through the region and into Europe. A new “forever war”—with an ever-increasing likelihood of American troops on the ground—may very well be upon us.  

As we’ve seen over and over, this administration uses lies, misdirection, and attempts to flood the zone to justify its abuses of power at home and abroad. Just as Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth offer erratic and contradictory rationales for the attacks on Iran, the administration is also spreading the lie that the upcoming midterm elections are under threat from noncitizens on voter rolls. When these lies go unchecked, they become the basis for further authoritarian encroachment and war. 

In these dark times, independent journalism is uniquely able to uncover the falsehoods that threaten our republic—and civilians around the world—and shine a bright light on the truth. 

The Nation’s experienced team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers understands the scale of what we’re up against and the urgency with which we have to act. That’s why we’re publishing critical reporting and analysis of the war on Iran, ICE violence at home, new forms of voter suppression emerging in the courts, and much more. 

But this journalism is possible only with your support.

This March, The Nation needs to raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the resources for reporting and analysis that sets the record straight and empowers people of conscience to organize. Will you donate today?

Ad Policy
x