How to say hello like a person ...

No one wants me to hear them:

understand the literal meanings

of the words they say.

And no one wants me to see them:

notice their stomach muscles

or proportional thighs.

And fucking NO one wants me to touch them:

shake their hand like it's checking off

number 32 of 88 in the factory line.

All of that is too distant: “I translate, I assess, I approve”

while looking—like a machinist—

through a checklist, for a flaw.

            *If I ever do forget,

            in the here-and-now,

            how to say “Hi”

            to another 'I,'

            Here's how:

Listen like every word invented ever is nonsense

    until we glue it into our life (

                                              mother's arms...warm...love...near;

                    sleeping...dark...gone...fear)

                                              where meaning grows in our

                                       bodies, first.

                                               Then in our voice.

Speak to make one simple move,

         to connect:

                               “Would you like a hand?”

                      “May I share

                                    what I've found?”

                   —my options offered;

              your gracious

                    choice.