The Amputee

[Sparkydashforth]

This is a perfect little gem of a poem.
I have no problem with your metaphysical imagery either.
No one who is not an amputee can know the sensations that arise
after surgery, but I'm guessing you nailed it here.
The last lines employ a strong metaphor to end with.



Line by line critique below -

The hand stewed..........................Strong opening suggests oedema and inflammation in the phantom limb.
in fever blanket sweat.............perhaps 'fever' is already inferred?
for months after the operation............do you need to be that specific re- Post-Op dates?

A tingle lingered in its vacuum like the stare ............yes, a stare from a the unknown producing a physical reaction.
of a stranger, and a breeze could chill ................chill is a good psychic indicator here.
the bones in the fingers, sending a hush
upon the itch.............................................absent bones hushing a real itch? Maybe that's a stretch.

When the wind died
and the bristles in the trees.................great analogy for the peripheral  branching of sensations.
grew still, I’d think about
their movement.....................Good last lines for they ponder-on and do not answer.