my mother’s hands (response to “hands” prompt)

My Mother’s hands were never soft and scented. 

Mom was always a hard worker, and her hands told her story. 

Today, her hands tell another story.

 

I remember Mom’s hands, red and raw, scalded by the dishwater.

I remember Mom’s hands, caked with dirt from the garden, her nails rimmed black.

I remember Mom’s hands, quick and sure, peeling potatoes for her famous potato salad.

I remember Mom’s hands, cold and bony, touching my cheek to prove to me how cold it was outside.

I remember Mom’s hands, sharp and hard, like her sudden slaps.

 

Mom’s hands are no longer rough and worn.

Her papery skin looks like vellum,

But is soft like velvet.

Her left is paralyzed, claw-like.

Mom can still feed herself,

Write some, scrub a little.

Now Mom has to ask for help.

I know she hates that,

She who was always

so independent and strong.

It took a stroke for Mom to have soft hands.

 

Today I am very grateful for my rough, red hands,

Still strong and capable.

 

© 2008 Kerry Vincent

writing prompt – hands

            We use our hands every day, to hold a pen, brush, needle, camera, garden trowel, glasscutter, or computer mouse.  Our hands enable us to create, reach out, touch, help, heal, stroke, work, caress, pinch, pull, hold a baby, make a fist, fold in prayer, cook a meal, make a living, craft a work of art, interpret for the deaf.  We hold hands with those we love and shake hands with those we meet.  Sometimes hands are soft and smooth; sometimes they are worn, gnarled, twisted in pain.  We experience the world through our hands.

            Think about hands – yours, your mother or father’s, your child’s hands.  Describe them, paint them, be thankful for them.  What would you do without them?  Did you ever break your hand or a finger?  How did that affect you?  Try writing with your non-dominant hand.  Wonder at the dexterity, and ingenuity of the opposable thumb.  Read you palm, or someone else’s.  We value things that are made by hand – why?  If you were going to tattoo your hand, that you see and show to others every day, what would you have inked?   When we say something is in good hands – what do we mean?

            Write, draw, collage, paint, or photograph something to do with hands.  Post it at www.pythiangames.wordpress.com.  This is a “hands-on” experience!

 

 

Soul Food café Creative Hand prints prompt:

http://soulfoodcreativity.wordpress.com/2007/07/15/creative-hand-prints/