Lady

Lady serving in the cafeteria line,
calloused fingers stuck to ladles
scraping stainless steel pans.

Lady scolding squirming children
still calloused hands immersed in froth
while bathing beloved little ones.

Lady sowing pansy seeds in troughs
attached to windowsills, the effort
sown into her skin among wet soils.

Lady singing in a choir, with dark,
calloused hands raised high above
her head, moves with gospel grace.

Lady laid down at last to rest, two tired
eyes closed, sealing thresholds of her sight,
as she dreams of velvet hands of outstretched light.