You asked me to trim your nails
And we both knew
It would be the last time you ever had your nails cut
But we didn’t say it
I wanted it to be be the most relaxing experience
I wanted it to be an act of care
An act of love
It was
An act of preparation
Preparation of death and feeling ready and neat and loved, right down to your finger nails
I remember you cried
I remember I held in the tears
I held you this time
Daughter, holding mother
I will always remember that
Holding your soft hands
And you holding mine