The Proverbs 31 Woman

She considereth a field, and
buyeth it: with the fruit of her
hands she planteth a vineyard.

Fields fall back
into the rooms of my hands,
the kitchen of my palm where food
emerges, spicy and rich: slice this knuckle
and find good rye bread, grains large enough
to taste. Drink from this vein,
a rich Merlot.

She is like the merchants’ ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.

I open my fingers in sunlight. Can you see fruit ripening,
the story of vineyards emerging from my bones?

Emily Wall