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2022 Banner for NaPoWriMo, All rights Maureen Thorson

Day1 of Glo/NaPoWriMo: Meritorious #prosepoetry

Her hands, he knew the best of all– were fevered warmest when days were cold. She’d
wrap a shawl around them and hold him close; her heat transpose. She cleaned his face with just such hands, ironed his clothes, and tucked him in bed.

And when the ladies’-maids came knocking, her hands expanded as she took in more
washing. And when he ruined his clothes out playing, her hands found thread to mend
the rips and strength enough to shoo off monsters.

Her hopes for him kept piling high as long as the wash kept piling in. For never was she
the liveliest as when she imagined her young man well-read and polished.

Then one glum day, when the rivers bubbled over from days upon days of rain,
returned from college, gentle and polished, he found those hands lain idle — engorged
like the rivers, arthritic, overworked with scant life force to right them.

“Manman,” said he, “you’ve worked plenty, let me take care of you from this day
forward.”

With eyelids puffed like little curtains, she turned to him and drew him in.
“My job is done, my heart brims over–”

But as he decorated her wrists with the gold bracelets, she half spurned to let God
know what she thought of Him.

***

© 2022 selmamartin.com 

Two lovely gold bracelets
gold bracelets Image by Queena Deng from Pixabay
And last but not least, our optional prompt! I got this one from a workshop
I did last year with Beatrix Gates, and I’ve found it really helpful. The
prompt is based on Robert Hass’s remarkable prose poem, “A Story About the
Body.” 
The idea is to write your own prose poem that, whatever title you
choose to give it, is a story about the body.
The poem should contain an encounter between two people,
some spoken language,
and at least one crisp visual image.
Official Button for 2022, NaPoWriMo
Official Button for 2022

Images: NaPo Banner/buttons, Maureen Thorson
Bracelets Image by Queena Deng from Pixabay 

Thanks for reading everyone. I appreciate you. xoxo

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 17 Comments

  1. Manja Maksimovič

    Spoken with lots of love, and Japanese in spirit, I find. Shoo, monsters, shoo!

    1. Selma Martin

      Yeah, that’s where the poem took me today. Thanks for the visit, my sweet. xoxo

    2. Selma Martin

      Your top photo in the water was tremendously beautiful. Always mesmerized with your world. Xoxo. Stay sweet. xo

  2. Kathryn LeRoy

    Loved this, and my favorite line: “My job is done, my heart brims over–”

    1. Selma Martin

      So pleased to know my sweetest friend. Thanks for reading. Sending you hugs and blessings. xoxo

  3. Jim

    I like this, Selma. Sounds like “too little too late but I’ll take it anyway.” I’m trying the body/prose poem for Tuesday which just showed up.
    Thanks for peeking in on me earlier.
    NaPoWriMo’s Jim1Jim1
    ..

    1. Selma Martin

      You know, Jim. You got it right. It’s a little too late indeed. That is the point. The gold bracelets are analogous to the gold therapy to lighten the discomfort. Thanks for looking at this with such knowing eye. I appreciate you. And it was nice reading yours as well. Be well. xo

  4. Nope, Not Pam

    This is gorgeous, it really speaks to me

  5. Ingrid

    A fitting end for a devoted mother, Selma!

    1. Selma Martin

      I appreciate you for the visit. Xoxo 👼 🌎 😴

  6. Jaya Avendel

    Oo, I love this piece of lyrical and alive prose! The imagery is beautiful and the ending perfection. <3

    1. Selma Martin

      Hey, Jaya. Your encouragement is priceless. Thanks so much for visiting me here. So grateful. xoxo

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