you might hold
a few hands,
as it helps to
distribute the load
like a yoke.
Within reason
fall all of the labors
you could mention,
and your neighbors
don't know if you're
making a joke—
but it's they
who'll lay hands
and lend
shoulders to your body
the day when
your tour
of exhaustion is done;
and you won't
begrudge someone
for carving in stone
that backbone
was your burden
and your heart
rolled into one.
