In this evocative and haunting poem, Larry Thomas explores the intimate connection between a goatherd and his flock, focusing on the hands that embody a lifetime of labor. The goatherd’s fingers, more like the cloven hooves of the animals he tends than the delicate appendages of a man, move ceaselessly, even in his sleep, guided by the rhythm of his dreams. Bathed in moonglow and warmed by his breath, these hands tell a story rich with the scent of teat and udder, capturing the essence of a life spent in close communion with nature. The Goatherd’s Fingers is a poignant meditation on the bond between human and animal, work and rest, flesh and spirit, drawing readers into a world where labor and identity are inseparably intertwined.