Sympathy

Farnoosh Fathi

Whose table is that, left on three legs?
If there’s been a mistake, it may be
in assuming less vulnerability
as one fills the vase—

whose buoyant comfort exaggerates
at the sight of his own proffered,
sympathetic hand, striking him so clean
in comparison

gloved white, magician—for a sec
he even sees the calla lily’s furl
in the gesture of voilà!