Hands

My future was put in the hands of a man I never got to know.

This man became completely responsible for my success and growth.

Blessed with the joys of pre-k and kindergarten that should be granted to all

but cursed with a birthday that fell late in the Fall.

Too young for the conventional “cut off” age of first grade

Until my principal put his trust in me, never to be dismayed.

My future completely changed through one kind act.

Oh how my life could have been different in a snap.

A snap, a small process done by the hands

At such a young age, my future began.

Over the years I learned that I function systematically

In studying history, making decisions, and most recently in anatomy

There is an incredible human dependence on the use of hands.

Those intricate gifts of mine reveal who I am.

As the youngest child I’ve had great role models to say the least

My sister, the aspiring brain; my brother who is becoming a priest

We have shared our family’s great love of music, one of my hands’ favorite uses

Through piano lessons, new instruments, or whatever else life chooses.

In my spare time, I taught myself the wonderful acoustic guitar

Realizations hitting of the journey my hands have taken me so far.

During class, I am always tapping my fingers on the table

Hands are my backup when my feet can’t keep me stable

Though a strong point is my hand-eye coordination ranges off the walls

Yet sadly I choose the sports that require no balls.

Throughout my childhood, I played every single sport it would appear

Now I’m much more content to throw hundreds of feet a metal spear

Or tie up my spikes to run the challenges a course entails.

Strength and determination gained on every trail.

I can grasp in my hands my aspirations for the future

Soon I’m bound to be sewing up someone’s sutures.

My desire to be a doctor has kept my drive up to this point

I hope to be healing others’ bones and joints.

As somebody fixed my wrist after I fell on the ice

And decided a plaster cast would apparently suffice.

The temporary halt to the use of a hand

Really limits the capability of what one can.

My hands, strong and powerful, capable of so much

Can make everything possible with just the slightest touch.

As the childhood song proclaims, a tune I haven’t thought of in years,

“I’ve got the whole world in my hands.” Oh dear.