Get Your Premium Membership

My Grandmother's Hands

My Grandmother's Hands

My Grandmother's hands told many tales
Of scrubbing steps and broken nails
Hand-washing clothes in enamel sink
Red football socks turned white towels pink

When not baking cakes at the old gas stove
Rag-rugs with old scraps of material she wove
Pantry shelves filled with powdered egg
Homemade rice pudding sprinkled with nutmeg

Sea-coal burning on an open coal fire
Bread on a toasting fork burning like a pyre
Grandma plumping up pillows from beneath granda’s head
Applying ointment to sores caused by being confined to bed

Hours spent at auctions bidding with her hand
Buying an incomplete bed wasn't what she planned
Back home in time for tea, crumpets and homemade strawberry jam,
I can still recall the smell of it, bubbling in the pan

Switching tv channels with a flick of her wrist
That’s how we did it back then, when remotes did not exist
Working hard all of her life, meeting everyone's demands
Every line and wrinkle told a story
On my Grandmother's hands

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 4/29/2018 7:34:00 PM
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother and her amazing hands! A beautifully penned rhyming piece! Well done and good luck in the contest! Hugs. Pandita
Login to Reply
Date: 3/24/2017 1:46:00 PM
Oh this brought back memories of my own Granny's hands, how I would love to hold them again. You write from the heart beautifully Jenny.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/11/2017 5:12:00 AM
such a beautiful poem so well written Jenny, a joy to read.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/9/2017 2:45:00 PM
this is beautifully told, jenny! you've brought your grandmother to vivid life with your words...
Login to Reply
Date: 1/9/2017 9:46:00 AM
So touching a write ... Eyes get wet alongside the delight of reading ...
Login to Reply

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry