She starts with the hand open,
Near her mouth, palm toward,
But not touching her face,
Veins appearing on the back of her hand
Forming a claw
That moves downward past the mouth
Oh hell
I try not to smile
I watch the bend and flex
Of her wrists and joints
Her delicate bones
Making fierce gestures
As she tells me off
I try not to smile
She yells at me something fierce
Manicured fingers
Form intricate patterns
Punctuating the strong words
Silently speaking volumes
I try not to smile
I know she’s caught me
Her tightly fisted hands at chest level
Fly up and then open in exasperation
I gently grasp her soft hands
Holding her attention
“Darling you’ve just yelled at me solely in ASL again.”
The hand signal
She uses next
Needed no translation
I smile
<>==========<>==========<>
At dVerse “Mish” leaves in in our hands to conjure up a write about those most hard-working appendages – our hands. My muse took me to one pissed off woman “yelling” at her not yet fluent in ASL spouse.
dVerse Poets Pub | Poetics – Poetics – Can You Give Me a Hand?
Raivenne-lations 
That would have been interesting to see, the hand gestures of yelling, yet not totally understanding it ~ Thanks for sharing a different perspective of “hands” Ravienne ~
Ha! I freakin’ LOVE this. I have always wanted to fully learn ASL. We used ASL sign with our kids when they were babies and toddlers, and I loved it. I have a friend who signs worship music, and it is the most beautiful thing, ever. The last line made me smile. We can all curse in sign, huh? 😉
What a great perspective, Raivenne. I love all the “trying not to smile” interspersed with your description of those angry hands! One of my nephews is fluent in ASL and acts as an interpreter for the deaf.
Love the story and how you brought out the lighter side of a challenging situation. learned a bit of sign language to work with children. It really is a beautiful form of expression.
I love this poetic description of this woman’s hands. I pictured it and was right along with it not having any idea I was reading sign. Beautiful –
I assume yelling in ASL has to be the hardest… When angry it’s hard to focus, It seemed you understood her though…
A wonderful take on the prompt. I can picture the scene, and share the smile that’s not smiled!
Sometimes a hand can say so much. Great take on this prompt!
SMiLes.. greaTEst emoTions
are those expresSinG witH
Body over
words..
Sign Language
oF face.. dance
and sonG.. first
hands over
written
words
a slow
last away
from first..:)