ON FINISHING THE COVENANT OF WATER
--for Abraham Verghese
Two final paragraphs before me
in the long novel, my wife opens
the back door, telling me
she’s home. My back’s to her
on the porch. Put your arms
on my back, quick.
I need you to hear this.
I hadn’t read these words myself.
That’s how I’m able to sustain
the moment. Rub my shoulders.
‘...there was never anything healing…
one could only be.” She gave me
that moment, her hands on me,
something moving, something returning
to her through her touch, as I read
to us, through indifference,
this water, this water,
this water chant.
Jim Bodeen
9-12 August 2024
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