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Open Poetry #38
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2006-06-02 06:15 AM



My Father's Hands

At fifty-four, my hands
are no longer
the graced young hands
of my youth,

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,
putting up homes,
making things work,
and I only spin
tales and dreams.

I've fenced in cattle with
my hands, typed briefs,
cared for babes,
and fed many people,
with my hands.

But I think of
my father's hands
when I look at mine,
and miss his strength.

Then, I pray,
hoping that mine
will age longer
than his did,
because I dearly miss
his holding
of these hands,
and I would not want
my child to miss me.

Not yet.

©KRJ
9 May, 2000
Revised, 6-2-2006



In Memory of RHR
6-2-23 - 9-2-88

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (06-15-2006 09:32 PM).]

© Copyright 2006 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Robert Edward Levin
Junior Member
since 2006-06-01
Posts 45
can't remember. somewhere in midwest
1 posted 2006-06-02 06:46 AM


a grand memorial, to be sure.  nicely done.

R~

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

2 posted 2006-06-02 06:47 AM


as always, this was such a warming right, setting life so realistically, as it is, and yet, understanding the deepest signficance...you understand the great purposes...Lady, this was to be cherished...and oh, by the way...yanno, I go to bed feeling fine, and wake up with injuries?????     how does that happen?

Love ya

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2006-06-02 08:55 AM


A beautiful tribute to your beloved father Karilea.
Well done indeed.
Hugs~Nancy

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
4 posted 2006-06-02 09:04 AM


Tender feelings expressed beautifully. martyjo
SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
5 posted 2006-06-02 09:08 AM


A very beautiful tribute to your dad, Karilea.
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
6 posted 2006-06-02 09:10 AM


Ah, you have such a way of expressing what most of us flail helplessly in trying to say.....thank you for this.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Walter_Mitty_Esq
Junior Member
since 2006-06-01
Posts 21

7 posted 2006-06-02 11:02 AM


Perfect... I wish I had this to give to my own father!

*sighs*

skyshine
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Member Elite
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars
8 posted 2006-06-02 12:48 PM


Your father lives on.....in you, and in your words as well.....

~sky

I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying....
~Tim McGraw

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
9 posted 2006-06-02 01:00 PM


Sunshine,
But he couldn't type and write poetry like you. Lovely write.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
10 posted 2006-06-02 01:02 PM


Sissie....A simple thing, hands...a small part of a person, yet given such importance here, with love and cherished memory...the hand has written this exceptional tribute to the memory of a fine man.  
miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
11 posted 2006-06-02 01:10 PM


very, very touching!  This brings back the many times I studied my grandmother's hands, then my mother's, and now mine.   You do evoke much such feeling from the reader with seemingly little effort.  Long lines to you, my friend.

misc'e

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
12 posted 2006-06-02 03:29 PM


A very beautiful tribute, Sunshine.

- Owl

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
13 posted 2006-06-02 04:52 PM


SIL, this poem is tangible...it reaches all the way down here and tugs at my heart.  What a sweet, sweet tribute to your Dad, who has a smile that still gives.  (Hey, and I'd say, you show much strength in your hands.)   hugs you....jo
Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
14 posted 2006-06-02 05:39 PM


Loved it....I hope they get the benefit of
your hands also.  Sad that he only lived
as long as he did....So understandable why
you hang on to memories so much....I do too.
They are a precious part of our life.

Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
15 posted 2006-06-02 07:27 PM


A very fond tribute and photograph of your father you have shared on his birthday and, yes, may your hands live on for many many more years, my poet friend, not only for your child but also for all of us adoptees here at Passions. Smiles and God bless.

-Bob

Comparing the pictures here, it does seem to me that you do have a bit of his smile too.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
16 posted 2006-06-02 07:36 PM


Enjoyed reading this...liked the "not yet"...your not going anywhere...but when your time has come, I'm sure those that care for you will have many wonderful memories to cherish...and that is the good part of missing...James
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
17 posted 2006-06-03 07:27 AM


very touching
Ella Blue
Junior Member
since 2006-05-26
Posts 47

18 posted 2006-06-03 09:38 PM


...and hopefully your child will see the same at some point perhaps, maybe not in their hands, but eyes that behold the world as yours did. You will have tought them to delight in the connection as much as you delight in your fathers.
I love this

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
19 posted 2006-06-04 01:10 AM




Beautifully done Sunshine. Your love for your Dad shines in every word.


suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
20 posted 2006-06-15 03:48 PM


because I dearly miss
his holding
of these hands,

I know this so well... and you write it beautifully. *S* I'm almost glad I didn't find it earlier... it's perfect for daughters missing daddies on Father's Day.

JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
21 posted 2006-06-15 04:16 PM


"But I think of
my father's hands
when I look at mine,
and miss his strength."


Honor, well written Sunshine.

JL


Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
22 posted 2006-06-15 08:36 PM


Karilea,
Yet another chance, pointed out by you, for me to remember my dad too. Much love in this that makes me warm at my own memories for which I now thank you.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
23 posted 2006-06-15 09:09 PM


Sunshine you make me wish I had a little girl to remember me so tenderly. Very beautiful! :-)
Jess
Member
since 2006-06-06
Posts 243
Washington
24 posted 2006-06-15 09:31 PM


This was really touching. I always thought my mother and I had the same hands, and you just reminded me of her. Thanks.
The One & Only
Member
since 2005-01-26
Posts 58
Kansas USA
25 posted 2006-06-15 09:44 PM


Yes your fathers hands brought life and love to many !

But for me it was my grandfathers hands (one in the same) that made me, my very own doll house,
and showed me to ues my own hand, with his blood in my veins, I make things for people, and a few for myself, with the doll house in my view everyday, I think of him in every way!!

Love you MOM

I miss him too!!

And trust me you are not going anywere for some time!!!

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