Green Linden Press

Self-portrait with Seventeen Hands                                                                            —J.R. Solonche


I am standing in the middle.
On my right is my wife.
My hand is on her waist.
On my left is my daughter.
My hand is on her shoulder.
I am holding a pencil in my hand.
I am gesturing toward the camera with it.
In my other hand is a blank sheet of paper.
I am holding the deed to my house in my hand.
I am holding a photograph of my mother in my hand.
I am holding a photograph of my father in my other hand.
I am holding my diploma from the state university.
It is framed.
I am holding it in both hands.
I am holding the key to my car.
I am holding the key to the safety deposit box in the bank.
I am holding the key to the door of my office.
I am holding the key to the box at the post office.
I hold one in each hand.
I am holding an hour glass in one hand.
The sand is running out.
My hands are folded across my chest.
I could be laughing, but there is no way to know.
The lower half of my face is covered by my hand.