Holding On

by Tom Hooten

If only she knew,

apart from our

shared blemishes,

how huggable she is.

Abused young into frailty,

desperate for affection

and promises to deny the

loneliness of the unloved.

A need unfulfilled

festering with age,

thwarting even the

lessons of scars.

So she rushes into

hugs and fleeting warm

without time to grasp

selfish suitor’s aims.

Be not quick into embraces.

Hug one, hug dozens, but

keep free of all who desire

to hug, not hold dear.

Blemishes persist and

scars appear when

the heat of hugs subsides.

It’s holding on that’s hard.

So wait, wait for that holder.

Breakers of hearts abound.

Keep patient, treasure away love

for the one who’ll never let go.

TOM HOOTEN received his Master’s Degree in Physiological Psychology from Auburn University, was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force (retired), and had a second career as a Human Resources Director. He has published two scientific research papers (co-authored), a science fiction novel, Hollytime, an essay, "The Physics of Fidget Energy," and several poems. He is in sunny Florida working on Alicetime, the sequel to Hollytime.