Jasmine Willhelm & Madeline Friend

TOOLS, Jasmine Wilhelm

TOOLS

My hands tell the stories

of seasons in the sun

of whitewater dories

and rapids yet to come.

Cracked and calloused

both tanned and bruised

these hands climb scree and talus in smokey daybreak rouge.

Morning comes with a groan knuckles aching to grip

gallivanting by afternoon rowing boats that sometimes flip.

They crackle and pop as most hands do

but they know river secrets sacred to few.

Years chip away

both nails and resolve but these waters run true and my hands hold on.

—Madeline Friend