The therapist said to open
your hands and smile

just a small smile,
she said

accepting something
you can’t change
isn’t the same
as agreeing with it

and then she asked you
to close your eyes

which is when
she must have
done the trick

the thing where she turned
your open hands
into gaping holes

and poured in a surge of peace
that shocked your heart so much

you couldn’t keep
your smile small
if you tried.