Aged By Time

I remember...

Distant relatives,

dusty

black and white

photos.

Fish made out of

wood.

paint.

creativity oozing out

from where

Papa’s

hands

touched and created.

raised six children

with the love of his life

Nana.

that loved and cared for

Nana

until her last

peaceful breath.

hands

that maintained

his health

throughout his 90 years.

But reach for sugar

daily.

feeding his bad habit.

hands

maintaining his stubborn

nature

by refusing to see a doctor.

that maintain a yard

full of color

and smells.

hands

that express enthusiasm

when telling

a story--

for the tenth

time.

hands.

rough and worn

with time, passion, and love

of life.

still alive, but at a loss.

Wood lays

untouched.

Splinters waiting to plunge

through,

hands that

lie still.

Living in preservation

to create

again.