Gentle Tasks
by Audrey Tumberg
Tracing a thin gold chain down
To the point of a cross sitting there
At the crest of your chest
Remember how
That warm toned metal looked
Set flush on pale skin
Measuring the small depths
On each side of your spine
With careful fingertips
Mindful pressure
Remember how many centimeters it took
To reach the smooth soft edge
Of that shallow depth
Outlining your knuckles
Up and over and over and up
Remember how
Those peaks and valleys felt alive
As they rose and as they fell
Gentle tasks
Held in the muscle memory
Of my body
My skin
Let me remember how it all felt
Let me hold onto it
Let me memorize it by heart
I’ve placed it there
For safe keeping
Just in case we’re onto something