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Brown, strong, and clean
My dad's hands
Bring babies into the world,
Feeling in the dark for pain and growth:
Slap new life awake
Veined, rough, and chapped
My dad's hands
Pour scotch and sodas
Reaching for medication of old pains:
Hold new life away.
Quick, arrogant, and angry
My dad's hands
Grab and frighten me
Shaking me into fear:
New life withdraws.
Silent, firm, and soft
My dad's hands
Hold mine
Touching pain, inviting growth:
Respect for life between men.
Purple, cracked, and swollen
My dad's hands
Move slowly now
Trying to hold what can't be held:
Life, love, and loosing.
His hands support and protect
Sustaining life. In my
Father's hands l can risk
To grasp:
Nothing lost in loving life.
Bill Kelly
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