Remembering Touch

the light of it
morning to afternoon I strain
for the shape of your thumb

hair's curve over temples
eyes
cheekbones.

It is certainly important
to know the land
the shape of it
what the fields bring
wild grapes
strawberries
black and red raspberries
where to find them--

your knees, your bony ankles.

It is too short.
To short to understand
what your teacher said to you
in third grade, the line coming
down from your eyebrow
over your right nipple
a motorcycle crash between
above your eyes--

they are cutting down the trees
in the woods beyond our pasture
and what else
is beyond our control?

https://soundcloud.com/margaret-wesseling

What will I do
when you are away?
In school we read Chief Joseph
from a book.