Tools

One of my favorite collaborative pieces ever with a dear friend, Jasmine Wilhelm!

My hands tell the stories
of seasons in the sun
of whitewater dories
and rapids yet to come.

Cracked and calloused
both tanned and bruised
these hands climb scree and talus
in smokey daybreak rouge.

Morning comes with a groan
knuckles aching to grip
gallivanting by afternoon
rowing boats that sometimes flip.

They crackle and pop
as most hands do
but they know river secrets
sacred to few.

Years chip away
both nails and resolve
but these waters run true
and my hands hold on.

Watercolor by Jasmine Wilhelm, words by Madeline Friend.

You can read more of Jasmine’s work here, and purchase this work (along with many others!) as part of Issue Two of The Thalweg!

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