Yuri Kochiyama Poem by Alfonso Siverls

If I could have shaken yuri's hand
would I have felt her lifeline of 93 years or
would her grip gently transmit the
50 plus years of struggle by sending
pulsating sensations throughout
my body down to my very DNA

if I could have shaken yuri's hand
would I have felt the pain and tears
she had to endure in the camp
in Jerome Arkansas because
of ignorance and fear of others

if I could have shaken yuri's hand
would I have felt the handshakes and
solidarity she had with so many other
warriors for social justice

if I could have shaken yuri's hand
would I have felt the tenderness
of her touch as she held the head of Malcolm x
shot, dying with blood and life
slowly exiting his body

if only I would of
shaken yuri's hand