The Hands of My Mother

Freckle-specked skin on the back of her hand with a wedding band and a solitaire diamond. On the fingers before hers, turquoise stones on silver. Before hers, plain gold. The hands of my mothers, working, fixing, making, smoothing, soothing. My thumb traces the skin of your hand and there I see ten fingers, pink nails, and freckle-specked skin on the back of your hand. Mine just like theirs, yours just like mine.