dirt under his nails - the rhyme of his love has been a long time come'n.
there was dirt under his nails
reddened creases cross his neck
swollen bone-meets-bone joints bent
jaw line strong and squared
a tiny tiredness in his eyes
limned the tease'n twinkles
a rugged touch
a steel-toed boot
the chuckle God gave Adam
for him, the beauty was in the job
well done... hard won...
a man of men, though humble lived,
took his pride in the overcome'n...
what precious self-worth I've redeemed
was learned in front of him
"find worthwhile truth in what you do
have look'n glass faith in me, girl,
as I have faith in you"
his secrets were those of wind and fire
of ebb and flow
he knew the worth of the flat tire
the cost of one inch of snow
and I loved him
©Naomi Marshall 2018
