the way hands move

metacarpals that thread through our dearest’s hair

mend, dig, sprinkle seeds

tendons that reach into the trees’ deep roots

tend, splash, bloom, and feed

backbones that support the tall timbers’ growth

bend, dry, cut the weeds

wash, rinse, and repeat

yet who would know that these very parts

would rip our dearest apart?

metacarpals that knot and split her soot-stained locks

mess, scrap, dump debris

tendons that spear through her rich golden heart

test, burn, tarnish the sea

backbones that ache and break intertwined arms

arrest, sever, disagree

wash, rinse, and repeat