These Hands
crochet potholders for Karli’s first apartment
pick up tiny yarn bits from the floor
stir the oatmeal on the stove
mix thin set and then grout in perfect ratios
scrape and sling grout into needed crevices
chip at and free the roller from dried-on paint
scrub suet stains off the front porch
photograph beautiful monsoon rainbows
wield tools like:
- a tiny thin needle with thread
- a power drill turning in a three-inch screw
- a knife cutting thick slices of watermelon
- a paint brush to reach tiny corners
- this keyboard I’m writing on
These hands wear rings–the wedding band for more than 40 years–
and they hold your hand while we watch Jack Ryan before bed
