GLUED

Sweat clinging from folded hands

not hers and his, but her own

head bowed, she offers Namaste.
Cheeks damp with tears she ignores
her hands do not unclasp
respect to every person who is present
last rites of her father
people came just to see him
he, unaware of the warmth around.

She can never be their lost brother or cousin
all she can do is offer her respects.
Her interlaced hands express it
her loss more than the others
but she stands still
hands folded, fingers woven
her only way to acknowledge
the affection in the room.