These hands

 

These hands don’t work like they did,

But, they still reach out to touch you,

          To feel the sweetness of your love.

My fingers can stroke your hair,

To run them down your face

          And feel the softness of your skin.

 

Hands hurt now, but they didn’t

          Back then when I first held

Your hands walking along through your life.

Yours were soft and young with the grip

          That said you trusted my hands.

 

These hands did so much that you never knew.

          My fingers don’t feel the same, they ache.

But, they still would do anything you needed

To be done, to help or heal.

 

I can feel how your hands have grown

To be the size of mine, to be stronger.

          Your hands cradle mine now.

Don’t forget how much these hands

Cared for you, loved you.

 

          Now, hold my hands with yours.

These hands, the ones that loved you

So much that they want to hold you still.

          Your hands, so much to learn.

Mine in a silent promise that your hands

Will always hold onto me,

        In your mind.

         

Hands shake now, weak

but strong in memories.

I hope your hands will hold onto

Other hands, hold them tightly,

Keep them near your heart and remember

          How much my hands loved you.