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Open Poetry #7
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My Father's Hands
| Open Poetry #7 |
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My Father's Hands |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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My Father's Hands At forty-eight, my hands are no longer the graced young hands of my youth, and I've noticed the way my nails are changing, more susceptible to strength, broader in shape, better than before, I think to myself. On certain days, I see in the veins on the back of my hands the bloodlines that coursed through my father's, his blood in me. I've not the strength of my father's hands, his were talented, to put up homes, make things work, and I only spin tales and dreams. I've fenced in cattle with my hands, and typed briefs, cared for babes, and have fed many people, with my hands. But I think of my father's hands when I look at mine, and miss his strength. And I then pray, and hope that mine will age longer than his did, because I miss his holding my hands, and I would not want my child to miss me. Not yet. ©KRJ 9 May, 2000 Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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| © Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396 |
~Sunshine,...wow,..I'm so glad to have read this poem. I truly enjoyed it...sort of stings a bit though as my father's hands are still here and I forget what they look like it's been so long. Anyhow,..this is surely something to think about. You have done a wonderful job...thanks for the read. |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
Oh, this brought a quick sting of tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to you. And this is a most insightful and thoughtful work. The end is tender. I love it. |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
I was scared to open this - daddies being gone almost always makes me cry. I, too remember my father's hands. This is a poem to cherish, Sunshine. Thanks for sharing, netswan |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Sunshine, this is very, very beautiful.... |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
I am ... breathless ... This commands a moment of silence, afterward ... so much, so simply said ... "Not yet" THWACK! Hit me hard as a board but soft as a whisper ... very, very well done, Sunshine.  Powerful words.--Kess Full fathom five thy father lies, Of his bones are coral made, Those are pearls that were his eyes; Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange... --William Shakespeare, from The Tempest |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Whew, everyone's emotions caught me a bit off guard...I knew I could make myself tear up with my own words, but all of your responses have me in an emotional heap ~ thank you all ~ my hat is off to they that led you here... |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Sunshine you've perfected a very moving piece. My father's hands are still here and though they were never seen as strength to me then, they have been in the last, well, many years. I'm glad he's still around, and you've really touched me and others I see with your gentle and moving words |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Whtdove, take your father's hands in yours, trace the living of them while you can, and memorize them in your heart... hugs, Sunshine |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"I only spin tales and dreams." You spin them very WELL Sunshine ... this left me wanting to call my dad tonight ... just to say "hello" ... thank you for a wonderful poem. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
What a lovely heart felt poem, Sunshine...I remember hands myself...long tapered freckled fingers--my father. Thanks for bringing him back. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Kit, call him now... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Martie, you snuck in on me...I am glad I brought back a wonderful memory, thank you... |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
But I think of my father's hands when I look at mine, and miss his strength. These are beautiful words, sunshine! I am fortunate that I still have my father around to support me with his wonderfully strong hands. For me the hands are his words, his views, his support, his strength in character, his guidances. I wonder what I could possibly do, in his absence. May your prayers succeed, and that your child never has to crave for love, affection and strength... Regards to you, Sudhir In any moment of decision, The best thing you can do is the right thing, The next-best thing is the wrong thing, And the worst thing you can do is nothing. - Theodore Roosevelt |
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