My hands
Knotted and gnarled and rough,
My hands have done so much!
Held others’ hands, and cradled babies,
Tickled toes, brushed hair, washed faces,
Changed nappies and brushed baby teeth,
Smacked bottoms, and soothed poorly knees
Wiped toddlers’ eyes and also noses,
Knitted, sewn, penned poems and stories,
Held tennis racquets, stroked cats and dogs,
Peeled apples, squeezed lemons, and boiled eggs
Swung hockey sticks and thrown balls too,
Painted scenes, used paper and glue
Pointed at mountains, waved to friends,
Made clothes to simply follow trends
Handled ornaments, and jewels,
Applied some make-up, sorted tools,
Drawn arcs, made fists, touched bodies and,
Dug holes, made castles in the sand
Encouraged with a ‘thumbs up’ – fine,
Discouraged with a downward sign,
These useful, generous means of touch,
Although they’re knotted, gnarled and rough!
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