My Father's Hand

By JohnAngelo (@ 1 year old), interpreted by me

From the day that he first saw me

And I, again, changed all his plans

I have never lost the wonder found

In my father’s enormous hands.

Covering most my body then

(Now reduced to just a third)

Saying so very much to me

Without a single word.

I hold one here in front of me,

Marvel at its size

And why they started out so old

And which scars made them wise

One gently pats my diaper

A rhythm makes me sleep

Or folding both and mine together

He prays “my soul to keep”.

Chewing one while he’s bathing me

I try to understand

What intangible is passed to me

Right through my father’s hand.

He holds me like some golden thing

Like, egg-shell thin, I’ll break.

Cupping me like a seedling

As I drift to sleep or wake.

Curling ‘round my head and chin

Or helping me to stand

I wonder if he wonders much

About my father’s useful hand.

Discovering they’re flesh and bone

Like the pair I have myself

It’s more than their construction

That gives a more than earthly wealth.

They never seem to falter

Yet I’m certain that they must

To my, still clearing, vision

They are sure enough to trust.

I put my little hand in his

And he shows how they’re the same

But he’s wrong and ever was

A hand’s more unique than a name

What mine will be he’ll never know

That’s evolution’s game

The son is the father – and more…

But I’ve yet to stake a claim.

Plenty of time for ‘destiny’

Those things all lives demand

For now, I’ll simply rest beneath

My father’s loving hand.

Reviews

[octane143]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! It pulled me from the writer and I could see this child's brow furrow as he ponder on his father's hands. Could see the bond of love as father patted his diaper, held his hand and bathed this child. That adoring look the child gives his father. Very moving poem and stunningly beautiful!

[.:Naiira Harlow:.]

How sweet! You use such lovely imagery in this piece. It is utterly beautiful!

[Michael X]

barry, that is touching, and heart stirring beautifully written with an overwhelming sense of endearment,
"my father's hand" work like this has the ability to stay with the reader in a postive way, the
rhyme form is impressive and accentuates the entire poem in way of carefil thought place upon
the emphasize of love and sentimental treasures of the heart, brilliantly done, fine work, a pleasure to read.

[Genie]

How lovely this is, and what a loving and wonderful tribute! It has the gentle impact of a sonnet, and the repetition reminds me of the villanelle and sestina structures but in a much more relaxed form. Well-crafted and beautifully rendered!

[Alex Ferraro]

Ah what a wonderful bit of imagery! An exellent perspective on a bond of trust and love. The rhyming isn't forced at all and the rythm doesn't break. Lovely stuff.

[Deborah Shepard]

beauty wounderfully done love and light