raw almonds

raw almonds,

alive with nutrients,

not cooked, salted, or preserved,

soak in a cold water bath

overnight.


bloated almonds'

brown, rough shells,

etched in white jagged lines,

stretch, wrinkle, and tear.

clean hands

scoop almonds out of fragrant bath,

tinted grey and murky with debris.

thumbs and forefinger

grip each almond,

sliding peel off to show

smooth nut,

chipped or whole.

bare almonds,

vulnerable in the nude,

lie drying in a colander.

their cracked brown shells

pile up in a heap,

discarded for organic compost.

raw thumbs,

sore and numb

after pinching, squeezing, and rubbing

so many almonds,

feel foliated,

thumb prints

now etched in white jagged lines.

Dedicated to Lisa