open-hearted

for Fran Claggett-Holland:
“We live within one another’s grace”

he eased swelling
teased mending with
his listening hands
she proffered a healing
tuning-fork tenderness

retired PT heard angry
elbow cry out for support
they gave of themselves
freely, with love
for we are one body
appearing as many

so with her mentor—
saw a poet in hiding
Fran crooked a knuckle
“it’s safe” she invoked
without saying a word

there’s work for
the hurt one, the
bounty breathtaking
we are one body
appearing as many