8 Comments
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Cathie Bird's avatar

I really love this one, Franky. Such a heartfelt and beautifully written invitation to witness our lives in our hands. :-)

Franky Dyson's avatar

It was originally a writing prompt I read in a poetry book. My page exploded. It really hit deeply. This is what was created from those pages. Thank you for reading Cathy Bird

Night Cracks's avatar

It's so true. Using hands as the reflections of our doings, which often contradict the memory of eyes, brains, hearts, maybe even souls was such a sublime idea. I love it!

Carol's avatar

Really nice reflection ThankyoušŸ‘

Adrião Pereira da Cunha's avatar

This piece feels like someone holding their own hands and finally seeing the life they’ve carried without ever naming it.

There’s something incredibly tender in the way the poem turns ordinary gestures into a kind of quiet autobiography.

The small acts pouring tea, wiping tears, holding children suddenly feel like whole chapters of a life.

The line about grief learning our fingerprints before we had words for it hits with a truth that sits heavy.

I love how the poem honors the invisible labor, the love expressed through chores, the apologies swallowed into silence.

Strength here isn’t loud; it settles into the palms and knuckles slowly, almost secretly, like sediment.

The hands become a map of endurance, softness, and the courage to stay present even when it hurts.

There’s a real tenderness in realizing that none of these gestures were ever ā€œjustā€ anything they were survival, devotion, history.

Touch becomes memory, and the body becomes the place where stories live when language fails.

By the end, the poem gently asks us to look at our own hands and finally acknowledge everything they’ve held, everything they’ve endured, and everything they’re still choosing.

From Tender Ground's avatar

Beautiful, I will not look at my hands the way I used to . Now I will search for the stories they hold . Thank you 🧔

Lyon Vert's avatar

First of all, I must give this a hand of applause šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘

This had so much to reflect upon and the unique journey your hands go on, heal and help, who they touch and love. This truly was a great read. āœļøšŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘

Franky Dyson's avatar

Thankyou Lyon i appreciate you taking the time to read and comment šŸ«¶šŸ¼