#summerwritingsanctuary Day 3
Day 3's invitation from Beth Kempton's Summer Writing Sanctuary is to write about These Hands ...
These Hands …
crinkly, dry, whispering as they glide against each other as I slowly rub my hands together
these hands show signs of wear and tear, of age; bitten down nails a by-product of emotional stress; cuticles raggedy through neglect, lop-sided and looking worse-for-wear; my ring-finger nails ridged, so thin and easy to tear, a gentle ever-present reminder of chemotherapy and it’s lasting side-effects after all this time
bedecked with a dusting of freckles across the skin which looks like a sandscape, of miles of sand dunes ruffled and shaped by strong Saharan winds
these hands scratch, itch, cook, clean, wipe, wave hello and goodbye
they lovingly soothe, stroke, hold, pat; offer tummy rubs to outstretched, upturned furbabies; clasp tiny hands
they create, sew, paint, write, dress, massage, carry, prune, weed, tug, pick, smack, clap
these hands have offered tender reassuring strokes and gentle nurturing taps; massaged knotted backs and taut muscles
gripped tightly on to little hands attached to little bodies as they tried to run where they shouldn’t; wiped away tears and spittle
they have applied lotion to too-tight, too-sore skin; patted coffin lids with trembling hands
these hands clasp Beloved’s hands like otters at night
they model for life drawing, and outlines for creative art activities; versatile and soft, strong and supple
these hands are my hands; my beautiful hands
queste mani sono le mie mani; le mie belle mani
The sketch (above, in the photo) was drawn in 2021 as I completed my APCCA Certification; we were invited to spend 15 minutes focusing and sketching the palm of one of our hands. I recall feeling so emotional after all that time of intensely looking at/studying my upturned hand, of all that it had loved, nurtured, cared for, touched. I was so touched by the sketch, I ended up framing it!
If you’d like to take part in Beth’s Summer Writing Sanctuary, it’s not too late to join: Summer Writing Sanctuary
My favourite book of Beth’s is Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived
Image credit: Callie Di Nello