atom

atom

Protons, neutrons, and electrons play
ring-around-the-rosy in circles
around the nucleus of the
atom.
It finds other atoms, attracted by the charge
of the ions, and together
they become something else--
something they could never be
alone.
Maybe they comprise a mitochondrion,
part of a blood cell,
part of a ring-tailed lemur,
or a bird of paradise.
Maybe they are part of a hydrogen molecule
that collides with another hydrogen molecule
to produce nuclear power for the sun,
and for
nuclear warheads.
Maybe they form a different molecule,
one of H2O, that freezes in the clouds and
falls,
         lands,
                   crystalline and white in a veil on my eyelashes.
Maybe when I dare to hold your hand,
and touch your skin
billions of my atoms will touch
billions of your atoms,
and some of them will switch places
so I will have a part of you in me.