Betty’s Hands

The spot on your retina

grew in size, bit by bit, blocking out the light,

just as the moon slowly covers the sun,

causing your long, thin fingers to work overtime.

And become portals to your soul.

Their limpid skin reveals slim veins,

like wires that carry images from

fingertips to memory,

probing the edge of every object until

it matches a likeness stored in your head.

                    When you could no longer see to quilt,

                    I witnessed your fingernails

                    become jagged, searching

                    for the proper end

                    of the self-threading needle.

Later, the slender width of your fingers became a

measure to tear strips of ragged fabric for bandages

your church sent to third-world countries.

But the church-ladies disbanded,

removing your last need to fill, your last utility.

I watch you flick your hair to the side

as you harken back to the simple pleasures

in life. Rubbing them together, you say wistfully

"I miss dipping my hands

in the warm dishwater."

                       And I remember you peering out

                      the kitchen window,

                      studiously memorizing the scene

                      of children playing in the backyard,

                      while you still could.

"I miss the garden, too" you say,

"The cool, sandy soil when I pulled

the carrots up. The onions. And snapped off

the leaves of chard."

Then you sigh deeply.

                      Once more I see your fingernails, stained,

                     as if permanently tattooed by

                     the dirt in your garden,

                     as you cradled the wealth of

                     your hard-working hands.

Today, in your little, kitchen-less room,

your fingers fidget, as though hungry

for things to see. But there is no riven fabric,

no warm soapy water, no tender earth to send

a soothing peace to your soul.

Naida Lavon

April 6, 2019

For Betty Waller

PCC Poetry Class

Angie Ebba, Instructor

Assignment: Write about a part of your body