echo Written by Rachel Goh
Five fingers
on each hand
make ten
yet, still,
they
fall short
of reaching
the cookie jar on the topmost shelf
the eraser in the nook between wall and desk
and
the hands extended to you
over the railing
your eyes say you’re tired
you’ve had enough
you want to let go
and
the wind tugs at your feet
tantalising,
promising
an eternal rest
yet, still,
these hands,
five fingers on each making ten,
seize and,
cling
on to that lifeline
you stretch a hand up
ten fingers,
five on each,
fall short
in the end
