On the left hand –

hand of the moon,

the feminine, the emotions,

& the hidden;

On the ring finger –

finger of the heart line,

of creativity, beauty,

& love;

The nail here –

     of this hand & this finger –

has grown

to extraordinary length,

& when touched,

tilts –

     painlessly –

from its bed, removed.

Inspect, at eye level,

this two-and-a-half-inch

semi-circular keratin shaft;

Inspect the convex,

empty bed;

Realize –

astonished –

each, with soft gray lint,

is filled.

Reseat the nail –

     carefully –

refit it to its powdery,

dust-gray base;

With the right hand,

gingerly place & press it,

thus;

Held now –

     nail of the left finger,

     of the left hand –

to its original place

(a temporary fix,

at best).

— C.Birde, 10/21