I would give up all my toes
and maybe even a foot.
Thumbs are not required,
so one of those can go.
But not a thumb and a foot.
Only one of each.
Below the elbow there are
bargains we can strike.
But I need one hand to raise a fist
to heaven, and demand justice of God.
And a middle finger to raise
if he refuses.
One arm must stay, so I can
pull you from the grave.
But wait, the other I must keep
to fight back the demons.
So perhaps I cannot give up
both arms to have you back.
I have two ears, but at night
I will need just one
to listen to your soft murmurs
against my cheek.
But wait, my other ear must always be tuned
for danger, if I hope to never lose you again.
So perhaps I cannot give up
both ears to have you back.
It seems that I have
very little to offer.
I'd give up my breath to make this bargain,
but you took that away, years ago.
—Excerpt from "To Have You Back" by Keith Woo, as it appears in "The Heavy Work of Vanishing: The Collected Poetry of Keith Woo," edited by Pi'ilani Kilani, page 220.