11-18-2021, 10:35 PM
Thump thump thump
is all I remember
as the lawn mower blade clipped off
the tips of three fingers.
What can I say? I was excited.
I’d just replaced a carburetor for the first time in my life.
It was working but gas was leaking from a line
so I needed to lift the mower to get a better look.
At least I didn’t use my index finger or my thumb,
just the lesser three: middle, ring and pinkie
It was a slow day at the trauma center,
a line in blue scrubs watched
as they clipped the excess bone
from my ragged fingertips while I chattered,
answering questions, repeating my folly in words.
A social worker stood so close
I could feel the warmth of her body
and study the lovely arch of her throat.
After the audience left,
interns took turns sewing my fingertips back together.
I happily jabbered, watching, as though
it was another person’s hand.
Since then I’ve learned “the lesser three” are pretty valuable guys.
Stuff slips from my hand and I don’t even feel it.
Immediately lost my wedding ring,
I can’t grasp anything as small as a marble.
If I lay my missing tips against your skin,
it feels like my fingers are inside you.
Not exactly a superpower
but entertaining during moments of boredom
or anguish.
Dunno.
All I remember
is thump thump thump.
is all I remember
as the lawn mower blade clipped off
the tips of three fingers.
What can I say? I was excited.
I’d just replaced a carburetor for the first time in my life.
It was working but gas was leaking from a line
so I needed to lift the mower to get a better look.
At least I didn’t use my index finger or my thumb,
just the lesser three: middle, ring and pinkie
It was a slow day at the trauma center,
a line in blue scrubs watched
as they clipped the excess bone
from my ragged fingertips while I chattered,
answering questions, repeating my folly in words.
A social worker stood so close
I could feel the warmth of her body
and study the lovely arch of her throat.
After the audience left,
interns took turns sewing my fingertips back together.
I happily jabbered, watching, as though
it was another person’s hand.
Since then I’ve learned “the lesser three” are pretty valuable guys.
Stuff slips from my hand and I don’t even feel it.
Immediately lost my wedding ring,
I can’t grasp anything as small as a marble.
If I lay my missing tips against your skin,
it feels like my fingers are inside you.
Not exactly a superpower
but entertaining during moments of boredom
or anguish.
Dunno.
All I remember
is thump thump thump.