Like silk sheets
Shrunken by a drier
Never to lay straight again
So loose and cool
To the touch
I wanted to smooth
Your skin taut
Around those 
Delicate bones
Let my fingers drink
In the wisdom
And strength 
That built our 
Tiyospaye
Hands
That soothed your children, 
Hauled water
Kneaded the dust from 
Cupboards into 
Bread, and 
Sewed gunny sacks
Into dresses
Hands 
That held my hand, 
My face
Then I was sick.
“Unchi Ake Wa Hi”
I whisper
Wanting to warm 
That cool pale skin
With my own 
Palms made hard
And warm 
From hours 
On the monkey bars
And swing chains
Wanting to rub
My youth into 
That cool satiny skin
Falling loose over 
Stiff joints