Story Bracelet

Bone and walrus tusk
encircle my wrist
in memory of you,
on each square
a scrimshaw picture,
joined, they tell a story:

a hunter leaves home, alone
on the ice, he navigates
the tender under-skin of my arm,
tracks and shoots a seal,
attaches rope and hauls it back
to the polished beginning.

Your story does not circle
it ends in sea and tears;
that day, Grief
took up sharpened antler
and carved your life
into the curve of mine.