I found it in an old school

desk      it was so many years

so many words ago      the edges

of memory       like pieces

of rotting paper

 

some of them carved

of stone      one or two

grown inside      like bone

the most beautiful in the batch

are the ones chipped      dirty

worn from the rub of thumb

and finger      a touch

rhythmic and repetitious

rough like love

stained   maimed   tender 

 

 

 

Steve Sibra was born in Havre, MT, and grew up on a small farm in nearby Big Sandy. His poetry and fiction have appeared in dozens of journals, magazines and newspapers worldwide. Steve's book of poetry, Shoes for Baby, was released in 2022 by Swallow Publishing. He resides in Seattle.