My hands still smell like loam
from digging with gloves in the dirt
which came in through the fingertips
settling under my nails —
I’ve scrubbed my hands
and the remaining scent
may be more memory than anything

The best part was the teamwork —
the two of us trying to move the black locust,
all stump and spine, rooted tight against the wall.
The choosing of tools, the digging, the prying,
the leverage applied, the clipping, the sawing
till it finally came free, and you settled it in
while I put tools away
and robins sang bright
as evening nestled down.

©Wendy Mulhern
April 9, 2019