SHADE OF AN ARM

reaches out, reaches into
you cannot tell
it is natural to make assumptions
about universal gestures
that extend as no more than a shadow
no further than the elbow
it is not unknown to see an image in haze
obfuscation by mist or the supernatural
depends on what you are prepared to believe
five digits on a hand could be anything
a magic number throughout evolution
often lacking definition
one arm and hand implies another
that is not seen
may not even exist
this one's opposable thumb
suggests the hand is a left one
not usually offered in greeting or peace
here too its cloaked appearance is sinister
the question is whether it is open or closed