Finger

Finger, like so many, aims at me

and then at something else.

Finger is a small yet significant creature.

Finger's addressing me by pointing,

pointing to me, saying,

saying without speaking.

Finger sports a nail that may hold the significance

of that creature, that digit: brown-ended with soil

or brightened with soap on a bright-cleaning brush.

One or the other (as they say).

Finger will point up or down or way across

at me, at you, at her, at him, at it.

Finger may dip its eager end into cream or candy

and move swiftly to eager lips,

be licked, sucked on, causing eyes to brighten and smile.

Finger may point a mile

up the lane or down the road,

up to heaven or down to hell.

Ah, finger, you can be friend or foe (as they say),

or something between those two

with or without significance of expression.

(May 2022)

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A wagging finger isn't friendly. A pointing finger is rude . A finger dipped in a bowl of cake mix is something to look forward to. Just goes to show how versatile a digit can be. Enjoyed your thoughts here Andrew.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and my parents taught me never to point a finger at anyone...that it is rude.
well, with all those possibilities they have rendered my finger totally useless.

although I do cheat sometimes, and dip it into icing...sneaking a taste.
could my finger point at someone to look the other way?

[Temperance]

I don't think I've ever read a poem about a finger before so, this is new to me. You have nicely expressed the different uses of a finger and possible hidden meanings of a gesture and, some not so hidden. Very interesting and fun to read. Thank you, Andrew! Temp