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Notes About The Poem

Our system of time with 60 minutes in the hour, and compass direction based on 360 degrees arose from finger-counting ancient Sumerians and Babylonians. Instead of counting the fingers themselves, they counted the 12 finger joints on the four fingers of one hand using the thumb as a pointer. Once they reached 12, they used a finger on the other hand to track to 24 hours. Multiplying the 12 joints by the 5 fingers on the second hand equals 60 for minutes and the angles within an equilateral triangle, They fitted 6 equilateral triangles with sides the length of the radius into a circle, thus dividied into a total 360 degrees. Hence this is our compass today.

We use our fingers for much more mundane stuff!!

29 June 2026 for FINISH IN TEN Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Nette Onclaud

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Mirror on Fingers

Left little finger — mocks old strident foes.
   Left ring finger — wears pale imprint after love ups and goes.
      Left middle — taps out the years between hugs.
   Left index finger — points up high to the heavens above.
Left thumb — presses today's stamp on yesterday's late mail.

Right thumb — flips through faded pages of old diaries.
   Right index finger — traces funny faces on misted window panes.
      Right middle finger — catches tears way before they fall.
   Right ring finger — encircles promises with gold bands of hope.
Right little finger — wiggles forlornly until another pinky wiggles back.

mirrorverse

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