Genuflection On My Daddy’s Hands

You lifted all those boxes with those hands and when it was time, you gave hugs with them and held our small hands in yours

You played craps and shot pool with those hands, Mama said you could fight with them too, but I never got to see those wars

I did see you hit a baseball though and on special occasions saw you tie a tie and often had the honor of having you tie my shoe

You cooked me breakfast lunch and dinner with those hands and I could feel the love, even if the taste didn’t always come through

You did everything you could with those hands, supporting Mothers Brothers Sisters Aunts Uncles and even a Cousin or two

I am honored that you lifted all those boxes, because you taught me that it’s the kind of man you are, not the kind of work you do