How many hours I’ve scratched at dirt
Or picked off pieces from dried leaves
Or traced your name out on my skirt
Or scolded God through handkerchiefs
Or told you what I did that day
Or read from poems you would read
Or prayed from prayers that you would pray
Or cleared the grave of worm and weed
Or pressed my forehead to my hand
Or wished that I could understand.
David Jennings is a practicing physician with degree in English and a love of poetry. David’s first book–a collection of original photographs paired with poetry, was published in September 2022.