Sweaty Hands

My hands have been
Crying rivers
For as long
As I can remember.

And with their touch,
I can baptize
Newborn babies
With the sign of
The cross
On their soft
Foreheads,

Anoint the sick 
On their weary
faces

And loosen the
Clenched fists
Of those bound up
In loss
And death
And dying. 

With the touch of my hands,
I can rub dirt
From a toddler's cheeks,

Lift smudges from
The tear stained eyes
Of women
Abandoned
By their men,

And leave
The imprint
Of my hugs
On the silk shirts
Of those I love

And walk away
Smiling
At the large outlines
Of my Thanksgiving Turkey fingers
On their backs.

Posted by La La on October 14, 2007 at 09:14 PM | Permalink

Digg This | Save to del.icio.us

My hands have been
Crying rivers
For as long
As I can remember.

And with their touch,
I can baptize
Newborn babies
With the sign of
The cross
On their soft
Foreheads,

Anoint the sick 
On their weary
faces

And loosen the
Clenched fists
Of those bound up
In loss
And death
And dying. 

With the touch of my hands,
I can rub dirt
From a toddler's cheeks,

Lift smudges from
The tear stained eyes
Of women
Abandoned
By their men,

And leave
The imprint
Of my hugs
On the silk shirts
Of those I love

And walk away
Smiling
At the large outlines
Of my Thanksgiving Turkey fingers
On their backs.

Comments

[Samantha]

Such a beautiful poem. I also suffer from excessive sweating so I can relate.

I love how you turned such an embarrassing disorder to something beautiful with your words.

Take care!

[ceci]

thank you for this poem. i have hyperhidrosis as well and it's comforting to know that there are some who understand. i am in my teen years, and i'm doing my best to not let this condition of mine ruin my life.