Fragments

Wild, tangled hair slopping over jacket’s edge
Chapped skin, cracked feet, broken nails
Mortifying bruises on the hand, arm, thigh
Badges of honor
My mum would be appalled

*****
Small actions ring deep, filling up my soul:
• Snug wrap of cuff around my wrist
• Snick of plug in socket
• Settling of chin in mask
• Slap of hand on thigh

*****

When did sweat become the smell of happiness?

*****

My leg throbs, a warm and gentle ache
Reassurance—if that’s the worst, then all is well

*****

Driving home
A wordless rumination on
What worked and did not work
Water for the whetstone
Honing practice