gnarly digits at
arthritic crooked angles
old woman’s fingers
some call them freckles
nestled among raised blue veins
these days they’re age spots
brittle nails, dry palms
still push, pull, pat, carry, hold
hands tell our histories
faded bunion scars
crusty heels, corns, calluses
pedicure too late
balance an issue
is it my feet legs or brain?
maybe more yoga
high arches, strong bones
still walk, hike, climb, garden, stand
feet show our struggles
weapons grade features
trigger fingers, hammer toes
but a life well-lived
Extremely good writing about extremities. Well done!
Thanks Ron. And yours was angry, sad, and ends with a hopeful laugh. Kudos.
You’ve mastered the form drawing wonderful visual images through carefully chosen language to tell your story. Every word moves it along.
I wonder if the last line of the last poem read “still a life well-lived” would read
stronger.
Ahhh, Joyce,
Ever the poet and teacher! Thanks!