Published in Overland Issue 242 Autumn 2021 · Poetry a brief story about hands Debbie Lim I woke to find my hands humming in the dark hands I said what have you done? where did you creep? what did you plunder? my hands did not answer simply lay upon the sheets still humming dreaming perhaps of a great hand-shaped cloud travelling steadily onwards deep into the night hands I cried what terrible thing have you what forbidden and was afraid to switch on the light not knowing if I would find my hands blackened with bees or breathing some cold song or worse no longer even mine Read the rest of Overland 242 If you enjoyed this piece, buy the issue Or subscribe and receive four brilliant issues for a year Debbie Lim Debbie Lim was shortlisted for the Peter Porter Poetry Prize in 2022. Her chapbook is Beastly Eye (Vagabond Press) and a full-length collection, Bathypelagia, will be published by Cordite Books in 2025. She was born in Sydney, where she lives on Darramuragal land. More by Debbie Lim › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 14 February 202514 February 2025 · Poetry 9 to 5 Dave Drayton volunteer to clown / undermine an award / construct to heave / interfere in class / dismantle if civil / disregard no cause / freelance at ennui 6 November 20246 November 2024 · Poetry TV Times Kate Lilley I try out for Can Can after school / knowing I’m not cut out for the high kicks / Ballads chansons show tunes ok / I can belt out Judy Garland and all the songs from Oliver / “Who Will Buy”/”As Long as He Needs Me” / Wher-e-e-e-ere is love