Pantoum: Hands

 

Pantoum: Hand(s)

 

Veins bulge out like my grandfather’s

Fingers are for rings and baubles and things

Nails clipped and trimmed, still dirty with grass stains and dark earth

The stubby thumb is mother’s opposable twin

 

Fingers are for rings and baubles and things

Knuckle hair is getting grey

The stubby thumb is mother’s opposable twin

I can whistle with those fingers, placed just so under my tongue

 

Knuckle hair is getting grey

Cupped palms to make a hoot

I can whistle with those fingers, placed just so under my tongue

Clapping together with a rhythmic Spanish cadence

 

Cupped palms to make a hoot

Amazingly loud

Clapping together with a rhythmic Spanish cadence

The vegetable that was sliced along with my index finger tip

 

Amazingly loud

Nails clipped and trimmed, still dirty with grass stains and dark earth

The vegetable that was sliced along with my index finger tip

Veins bulge out like my grandfather’s