NapOwrimo Day 12: Arms
Dear Arms.
I ain’t mad at Cha.
my triceps and biceps are mushy. But you work! So I love you. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re great.
this is not the summer where you will be toned. Last summer either. Once upon a time you had aspirations of being Bruce Lee. Beautifully fit under white tees. Waving your arms freely at a concert.
Stretching your arms out in yoga classes with no fear of the dangling skin
Being on stage and cutting silhouettes with your graceful limbs. Dreams of spreading these
arms out like Jesus. Unafraid.
last summer we came a long way.
for the first time I wore tank tops
sleeveless.
Let you see the light of day.
no more truckers tan.
elbows out
upper arms pale
And grateful for sun
This summer will be the same.
I’ll let you hold the body of my girlfriend when she’s cold in the middle of May evenings
while getting icecream at Gunthers.
like yesterday when she laid her head on your shoulder as a sign of comfort
leaned up against you for support
the subtleties
she trusts you
she trusts me
How you keep her warm and wrap her right before she falls into sleep.
the tattoo on you that reads
“fight for her”
a life of feminism in my soft
triceps just in case I need to pop someone
who gets silly.
never happening if I can help it
but glad to know all arms work
tai chi
Waving at friends
picking up my kitties and throwing their bellies in my face
the way
You bend & reach for her at the perfect time to dance
Or reach for her when the silence takes over and you want to connect
or
let her hook your elbow while crossing the street
when dinner was great and all is sweet
how You’ll lift up your grandma when she has trouble getting upstairs
Or let her tap your arm so you can reach something from the highest cupboard
or help some
Elder lady at Home Depot grab the glue
How you maneuvered your mom’s wheelchair when she had hip surgery a few years ago
how strong you were
even if you weren’t cut
how you lifted your body
out of bed every morning
tired or weary.
arms
you are loved
