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The Certainty in Holes
The Certainty in Holes
Doubting Thomas needed to stick his fingers into the holes in Jesus’ hands or side.
A character in Denis Johnson’s “Steady Hands at Seattle General” requests: “Talk into my bullet hole. Tell me I’m fine.”
When your body was lying in its coffin, I could see the bullet hole in your right temple.
I did not look on the left for the exit wound. I did not need to put my finger anywhere to remove any doubt you were my mother.
There was no need to speak into your wound. It told me you were, this time, finally fine.
The Certainty in Holes
Doubting Thomas needed to put his fingers into the holes in Jesus’ hands or side.
A character in Denis Johnson’s “Steady Hands at Seattle General” asks: “Speak into my bullet hole. Tell me I’m okay.”
When your body was in its coffin, I saw the bullet hole in your right temple.
I didn’t check the left side for the exit wound. I didn’t need to put my finger anywhere to confirm you were my mother.
There was no need to speak into your wound. It showed me you were, this time, finally okay.