Poetry Month, 4/7/08 (Belated)

[em_ee_ell]

By Hand - Jan L. Richardson

Bless the hands
smooth, supple
that create with power;
rough, weathered
that touch with integrity;
scarred, bent
that move with grace;
dark, pale
that work for justice.
Bless the hands
shackled, free
that point toward peace;
graceful, longing
that tend the weary;
young, old
that feed the children;
yours, mine
that move the world.