the two-hands sit

Before the rounds tonight, look at your own hands for a moment — really look, the way this page practised looking at the steel glass some evenings ago. These two have been at it since morning: lunch boxes, keyboards, door latches, someone's shoulder.

Now rest them, palms up, one inside the other in your lap. Off duty.

Breathe in through the nose for a count of four.

Rest at the top — about a heartbeat and a half.

Out for a slow count of six, and let the hands grow heavy while the breath leaves.

Settle a moment. That is one round; take three.

The hands will be back on duty within the hour, and that is fine. Even the kitchen's cloth is folded and set down between uses.