A Blessing for Hands
Hands born to swivel on the wrist; to lift
each item needing lifting, big or small;
to bend or straighten, push or pull; to shift
a weight or cargo, throw a stick or ball;
hands made to catch; to play along the rift,
to find a seam; to feel how overall,
a thing is rough or smooth; to set adrift;
to rescue; hands that helped a child to crawl;
that held a tree or table; gave a gift;
that soothed a tear, a baby’s caterwaul;
that caught, combined, caressed; that made short shrift
of mealtime; that refused to break or maul;
be blessed. Be strong. Be delicate. Be swift.
John Claiborne Isbell was born in Seattle, USA and later lived in Europe and the United Kingdom, where he went to school. He has been teaching languages for some time, teaching French and German at universities in the United Kingdom and the United States. He has published various books, including a volume of poetry, Allegro, with a picture of a cello on the cover. Two more books came out recently, both about women authors.
Amethyst Review 