These Precious Hands
Hands the shade of caramel, mocha, honey, chocolate and brown
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength can be found.
It begins with Mother’s coffee hands that caress me as I grew inside
When I am born, these same hands reach out and nestle me with pride.
Mother, let me see your hands. Hands the shade of tan, coffee, beige, pecan and brown
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength can be found.
Look at this grandmother’s weathered and calloused chocolate hands
Strong enough to work in a factory and field
Yet soft enough to soothe a bruised knee and tender enough to heal.
Grandmother, let me see your hands.
Hands the shade of caramel, ebony, copper and brown
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength can be found.
Wise hands that remember and understands
That our names are written on the palms of God’s hands.
Sister, let me see your hands.
Cafe au lait hands that provide brave and safe spaces.
Golden hands that hold me in tight embraces
Mocha hands whose fingers skillfully glide over piano keys.
Pecan hands strongly clasped together as they pray on bended knees.
Nimble chocolate hands that let you know that you’re still in her sight.
Ebony hands that embrace you to let you know that everything is all right.
Hands the shade of honey, mocha, coffee and brown.
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength can be found.
I look at the past and see mocha hands united together
in the movement.
I see honey hands sacrificing to bless women in the
present.
Copper hands that handle the gavel in the judge’s seat.
Ebony hands that perform surgery and coffee hands that teach.
Nutmeg hands that bake warm pound cakes and sweet potato pie,
Served with a heaping side of seasoned wisdom that’s too delicious to deny.
Hands the shades of honey, caramel, coffee and brown
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength can be found.
Sister, let me see your hands.
I treasure these precious hands that guard and surround me
I am here because these precious hands have always been around me.
Friend, let me see your hands.
These hands are cherished because they are connected to the heart
Love is channeled through these hands and fingers with tenderness to impart.
Will you let me see your hands?
Hands the shade of espresso, bronze, ebony and brown
It is in the midst of these precious hands that strength
can be found.
Blessed by these Hands,
Sheila P. Spencer
I have written your name on the palms of my Hands. Isaiah 49:16