HANDS

When you’re back in Beijing,

tell him I understand his situation

and won’t contact him directly.

There are hands around him

that are always busy searching through

websites and emails and blogs.

They open letters and parcels

and record one name after another.

Sometimes they tap out hints

that startle sleepers and make them brood

about dangers until daybreak.

Tell him to be careful,

not to contact me unless necessary.

Those hands have eyes all over them,

able to monitor

countless people at once.

At any moment they can reach out

to seize you and dump you into

a canyon, or dungeon, or cavern.

Your cries for help

will elicit no response —

the ears on those hands can play deaf.