HER HANDS: .... by JoAnna Spaulding Umlauf, 6/2004

Her hands, small and unsteady,
Joining mother's and father's,
Clasping two older sister' hands,
Forming a close, loving circle........
Reaching for ebony and ivory, passionately.

Her hands, young and smooth,
Creating original compositions,
Receiving a Master's Degreee,
In Music Theory........
Touching ebony and ivory, passionately.

Her hands, intertwined with spouse's,
A future of four births ahead,
A very grand marriage gift joining them,
A piano, a passage rite from father to new husband........
Embracing ebony and ivory, passionately.

Her hands, talented, loving, caring,
Changing diapers, sewing for six,
Cooking, cleaning, crafting, planting,
Landing airplanes, steering autos........
Revisiting ebony and ivory, passionately.

Her hands, ever faith-filled, folded in prayer,
Attending weddings, births, and funerals,
Entrusted with gavels in many capacities,
Supporting a sick mate to his untimely end........
Connecting with ebony and ivory, passionately.

Her hands, scarred, twisted by arthritis,
Adjusting to new, caring surroundings,
Partially immobilized by stroke,
Unable to remember the mechanics of music, but........
Still loving ebony and ivory, passionately.

close window to exit and return