memorize....

of all the intricacies

i want etched in my mind

i tell myself

i won't need to memorize your hands

the shapes, the bends, the ridges

where your lines and wrinkles end

and mine begin

as counted days of holding on

still sweetly grow

and two hands blend into one

till yours lets go

and i'll look closer than ever

and hope to find

my hands as old as yours

with lines of tenderness

still reaching, serving, sharing

with wrinkles from pressing and smoothing

and faithful, humble folding

with secret giving

and i'll tell myself

maybe i should have memorized

and i'll wonder

will my hands ever

look like yours?

words and images © melody armstrong 2014