Hands

(For Danny, who rolled the jeep, escaping with only a broken hand.) Hands are made for gathering dirt when bicycle chains are loose, or for clasping, after a quarrel when friends decide to call a truce. Hands are made for soothing a brow when baby sister is feeling ill, for holding brother’s hand on walks or bringing Mother a headache pill. Hands are made for brushing teeth, combing hair, and shining shoes; for picking up the telephone when “she” calls with the news. Hands are made for waving when Granddad says goodbye, for pointing out to Dad when fishing that special cloud floating by. Hands are good for baiting the hook in anticipation of that trout and when sister falls in head first, those same hands can pull her out. Skin and bones, fingers growing stronger, finally Dad says, “You may drive the jeep.” But when the jeep rolls over, Legs are made to leap!