We played many games in those days.Our favorite was the invention of signs
which allowed us to make meaningwhere previously there was emptiness.
the finger curved in beckoning was the first thing he doubled:then it meant Let us leave the shadeas well as the usual.
I would extend my arm across my skinny chest andtake gentle hold of my shoulder, which meant:I want to leave or I don't know.
He would knit his browswhile smiling, which meant:I am conflicted or Turn back, it's unsafe.
We loved the multiple gesture;we nodded approvingly, which meant:We will keep going or Help us, we are lost.
Often, lost in invented connotations,we mistook each other entirely,
passing motion between usas tired workers pass empty words for the soundrather than the thought,
as birds stretch their wingsfor pleasure rather than flight.He held my hand.