i have a hang nail on each finger

each finger named Stan is scarred
from the deli slicer
the flappy skin that spurted blood
is raised just enough to remind
the rest of the fingers to be more wary

The rest of the fingers are all thumbs
and drop clues
to just how big a noose it takes
to hang a nail
or all my worst sins
on to someone less worthy

I think I love them most of all
those ornery little bastards
so full of opposition

hang the nails
it's time for me
to ignore the scars
of youth and hard work

I will thumb a ride
to Greenville, Mississippi
and bet my house
on a riverboat.