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Water Softens the Foot

He would know. Laborer of trees, wood turner.
His hands trail surfaces, humming:
                      cherry, maple, birch, walnut, teak.
When I flinch from a splinter stuck in the arch of my foot, he says,
                      “Put your foot in warm water. It will release in warm water.”

I do, and it does.

Water Softens the Foot

He would know. Laborer of trees, wood turner.
His hands trail surfaces, humming:
                      cherry, maple, birch, walnut, teak.
When I flinch from a splinter stuck in the arch of my foot, he says,
                      “Put your foot in warm water. It will release in warm water.”

I do, and it does.

Sally Bedford  51, Seattle

 
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READING NOW The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.
EARLY WATER MEMORY I was on shore of the Atlantic, watching my mother swim out to the last buoy. I thought she’d be swept away.
TO PROTECT WATER I remove leaves from storm grates and do not apply fertilizer or pesticides to my garden.

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