Manuus

You look at my hands and see cute, dainty things
Soft palms that shape sweet rolls
Nimble fingers that pluck cello strings
A tender touch that runs fingers through your hair and won’t let you go

I look at my hands and wonder if they’re ugly or bad 
My fingers too long
My nail beds shaped wrong
My palms too big
My pinkies crooked 
My fingertips coarse

I hate my hands because I was convinced they are unsightly
 
“Big, ugly, awful things”

I don’t understand why
I can’t let go of her cruel words
They were so long ago after all

Nevertheless, they stick like
stubborn dough under my fingernails 

“I hope my child will forgive me for the hate I’ve given her hands”

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