Meditation on Hands

I press mine against yours

And marvel at the way

Your fingertips overshadow mine.

There is strength

And immense power hidden

In the sinews and lines

In the thin, nerve-ridden skin

But there is also great tenderness

Love falling with every touch.

I trace the edge of my index finger

Down your wide palm,

The thick muscle under your thumb

And turning your hand over

I kiss each of your fingertips

Decorated with ragged flat nails

Chewed by the stress

I wish to erase.

I find the scar that

You don't know how you received

And I kiss that too.

Some people memorize faces.

I memorize your beautiful hands.