Step One

six hands, three people
holding tightly tightly tightly, terrified to let go
letting go is a little death and holding on is the big one
but no one really knows it yet.
maybe they never will.

Step Two

two hands, two people
gripping tightly tightly tightly in fear of letting go
but where are their other two?
attachment as a crutch or as salvation; no one really knows
but something shifts in the balance.

Step Three

two hands, one person
grasping tightly tightly tightly around their middle
they try to say they let go first
but we all know how comforting a lie can be
when the truth is so much sharper.

Step Four

four hands, two people
holding tightly tightly tightly, knowing never to let go
because one hand let go and one other fled
and three sets of hands forgot how burnt-out knights
were never meant to dance with gods.