Hands carved carefully

Digging holes in cheeks

Peeling away the shedded skin

Revealing the soft ripe middle

Hands that started fire

That wiped soot from skin

Wet with fruit and clay

That foraged for you

Hands in godspell

That raised hands to your temples

and called you religion

That prayed to you

Hands of olive oil and salt

Fingers drowning in embroidered fabrics

To hide the jewels you cried for

That stole for you

Hands beating drums

Splaying as we embrace

Wincing in the sun

That danced with you

And in this lifetime,

those hands trace your skin

Carving carefully

Digging holes in cheeks

Peeling away the shedded skin

Remembering all the worlds where they belonged to you