The road sign said
Hard Shoulder ENDS
and I wondered if I could cut it
as a professional masseur.
I wondered if I’d understand the oils.
I wondered if my sausage fingers
could fumble around the skin of a human
in a motion that inspired confidence.
I wondered if I had the hush tone
to close eyelids without question
and I thought about the man
who I went to with a bad back
and he pushed pressure points
in my right hand and listened
when I finally had a cry.

© Carl Burkitt 2020