her hands

her hands are of
great importance now.
she stares into
them for hours.
folding them over
into themselves.
lacing the fingers,
rubbing out
the bones.
these hands she
used to wash and hang
clothes,
stirred pots
of food, and ironed.
cut roses from
her yard.
these hands that
smoothed out the
hair upon your
head, stretched
bandages upon
your wounds. these
hands that once held
yours. they are
alone now as you
leave her in
the empty crowded
room.