Hand (June)

'Three hands, two holding knives', circa 1884.

Visiting Van Gogh, seeing his hands active all the time, bold moves, supple tiers, fine detail. The prehistoric claws of hands limber up for their next exercise. The assertive grip of hands enshrines their everyday occurrence. The pinched precision of hands utilises muscles trained to express worldviews. Damaged hands, blunted by work, rest in the half-light. Free hands toss and splay for relaxation. Fisted hands hold unpronounced pain in their thinking partnership. Or else, in June, thumb through palette-hole, he lives out the routine only life provides. The hundred gestures of hands keep the game going. Slightly curled, they rest.