His Hands

His hands are worn
and beaten and thick with
scars. They have plowed
fields, picked cotton and
planted seed.

They have driven horses
and cattle and wagons. They
have steered tractors and
trucks, freighters and
fishing boats.

His hands have nursed calves
and branded them, and led them
to slaughter. They have shot and
skinned and gutted rabbit, squirrel
and deer.

They have shoved brothers, beaten
men, caressed lovers. They
have cradled, spanked and comforted
children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren.

His hands have been
mangled and bruised and blistered
by the work of a lifetime full
of toil and sorrow
and joy.

Once strong and sure,
His hands carry the weight
of a full and hard life,
and tremble.