Hands

Her fingers were shaking.

Just trying to open a jar.

You remember her hands

turning wrenches, opening things

that didn't want to open—

hands that never asked for help,

hands that knew their strength.

Now you reached over without thinking

and did it for her.

The jar opened.

The jam inside was still good.

But her hands stayed small

after you let go.

The knuckles that used to look strong

now looked like they belonged

to someone who needs to be careful.

You're the strong one now.

This isn't what you thought

strong would feel like.