This water runs across my hands like air
over alveoli’s purified beds
of capillaries. This warm water flares,
reflecting light, forming gleaming stream fed
by the hydrogen bond. This bubbling flow
of water, earth’s master solvent blending
with alkali and fatty acids, glows
with globes of soapsuds, their clusters mending
my fingers’ sins, my palms’ reflexive greed,
my angry knuckles’ bare, slashing assaults.
This splashing, filmy water seems to plead
for grace, praying my life drains free of fault
as my soft, forgiven grasp enfolds you,
night’s rain praising my blessed gift to hold you.
Roger Armbrust
August 9, 2008
