his hands have changed

not sure why

but they are off somehow

the dimples and dips, are

all there

Three bruises from knuckle to wrist, five sprigs

of hair

bare palms

dancing veins

tendons

Nails are longer maybe, fingers steady

I count a medley of callused castles

on the right

Long life lines

on the left

ashen, slightly stiff

but they’re different still

I would know

twenty three freckles

the curve of his fingerprints

from tip to nook

cuts limping into fresh skin

Tender bones, how you have grown

Tell me your story

so that I may know him again.