Calluses

by Rachel Lewis

I have previously flirted with
emollients and body butters
exfoliating scrubs
softening lotions
grapeseed oil ointments
and herbal balms meant for udders

but my calluses are back and
O! What glorious victories they foment!
What odes of self-sufficiency and strength!

the catalyst for calluses was borne by my periphery
a lonesome dust-collecting instrument
of frets and loosened strings
slumped, abandoned in the corner .
Picking up my passed-by pastime
I dredged up long lost songs
that long laid lax in brain’s base
My fingers stiffened up with cold and C Major 7ths

The once-feather-light tips grew heavy
and the lack of circulation made them split
Until, late that night, criss-crossed with coiled ruts,
knuckles locked, nails bitten bloody,
I found–equally strung, equally poised to sound–
a coiled cord of struggle in my body
a ringing chord of triumph in my body

One Response to “Calluses”

~ This piece was posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 and was filed under Poetry, Writing. You can make comments on it below. ~