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Nana's Hands

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** My grandmother had horrible arthritis that bent her fingers sideways, hunched her back, and caused her excruciating pain, at a time when there were few treatments or forms of relief, yet she cooked and knit and played the piano like a concert master, and never, EVER complained. This is for her, Eva Thomas Barden, who taught me much about hard work, kindness, and humility. I love you and miss you SO much. **

Through the years they worked their spells From drawers and cupboards, taking things That through them, thus, were given wings And changed to sweetness meant for kings With warm and wafting scrumptious smells My Nana's hands ... Countless times we'd strolled to town To shop for what she'd need that eve (First taking stock before we'd leave) A shopping list tucked up her sleeve My wee lad's fingers, safe and sound In Nana's hands ... The way back home was twice as long Our arms filled plump with paper sacks The makings and some special snacks Oh, how the groceries bent our backs Yet even then, I held on tight ... To Nana's hands ... Still it was always worth the chores To watch her mix and bake and cook While dancing to-and-from her nook And glancing, sometimes, in a book Oh, how I marveled and adored ... My Nana's hands ... But sometimes they were hard to hold Curled with arthritis, wracked with pain She oft' times had to stretch and strain Though NEVER did she ONCE complain Through rheumatism's stranglehold ... On Nana's hands ... See ... Those bent old hands in disrepair Worked twice as hard so we could eat Thus each night's meal and every treat Was that much more divine and sweet All from the love and tender care ... Of Nana's hands ... And still, my fingers long to share ... My Nana's Gentle ... Hands. - by Gregory R Barden ~ 2nd Place ~ in the "Cornucopia Cooking" Poetry Contest, Chantelle Anne Cooke, Judge & Sponsor.

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MAHTAB BANGALEE

Date: 6/18/2020 6:01:00 AM

beautiful...just have to a beautiful poem penned.......fantastic expressive...life like

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/18/2020 8:56:00 AM

Thank you so much, Mahtab, that means a lot to me, as does this poem about my Nana. Blessings to you! :o)

Edmund Strempfl

Date: 9/9/2019 6:52:00 PM

Beautifully written with rich expressionism and also triggered memories of my Nan.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/14/2020 7:52:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Edmund, that's very kind - glad it brought you some treasured memories, my friend! :o)

barbara barry-nishanian

Date: 9/2/2019 8:54:00 PM

So touching brings back memories, congrats on place in the top 100.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/14/2020 7:51:00 AM

Many kind thanks to you, Barbara - I greatly appreciate it! :o) <3

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 9/2/2019 1:30:00 PM

Hello Gregory R. Barden,A poem filled with love for your nana. She did work very hard with those arthritis hands. have a nice day my friend.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/14/2020 7:50:00 AM

Thanks you so very much, Darlene - blessings! :o) <3

Susan Jeavons

Date: 9/1/2019 9:30:00 PM

What a beautiful, loving tribute to your Nana. A favorite! Hugs, Susan

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:44:00 PM

That's very sweet of you, Susan, and I thank you very much for the kindly comments - blessings to you, my friend! :o) <3

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/12/2019 9:46:00 PM

Your poem is a masterful and moving beauty, Gregory. Such a loving and soulful tribute to your wonderful grandmother. Congratulations on both your wonderful contest win and for the well deserved recognition with POTD honors. Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:43:00 PM

Many, many kind thank-you's to you, Susan, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this one - she was very special, and I pray I've done her some honor. Blessings to you, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Linda Milgate

Date: 8/8/2019 6:50:00 PM

This is such a warm lovely poem and brings back memories thank you.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:42:00 PM

That's very kind of you to say, Linda, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem! Blessings, Friend! :o) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/6/2019 10:28:00 PM

This poem is so beautiful Greg. It is so deserving of POTD. This is a keeper to read again and again. Congratulations Greg! : ) xxoo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:42:00 PM

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Connie, as my Nana was so important to me ... thanks and blessings to you, Dear Friend! :o) <3

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/6/2019 9:28:00 PM

So touching and resonant. Congrats on POTD, my poetic friend. Best wishes, Gershon

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:41:00 PM

You are very kind, Gershon - thank you so much, Brother! :o)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/6/2019 4:47:00 AM

A beauty, Greg! She sounds like someone very special! Congratulations on POTD for this aweet and enjoyable write!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:40:00 PM

Oh, indeed she was, Kim, so talented and industrious, and while she was never overly affectionate, she was quite loving and sweet in her way, while always expecting my best effort, the same effort she gave to everything. I miss her so much. Blessings and many thanks to you, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Kim Merryman

Date: 8/5/2019 2:16:00 PM

Congrats on POTD, Greg! Blessings, Kim

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:38:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Kim - blessings! :o) <3

Dean Wood

Date: 8/5/2019 12:04:00 PM

This is masterfully written Greg. An interesting meter that flows so smoothly. And the touching feelings it evokes is just what the art of poetry should do. Well done sir!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:38:00 PM

This is a wonderful comment, Dean - so thoughtful and kind - and I thank you very much for taking the time ... it means a lot, as I admire your opinion greatly. Blessings to you, My Friend! :o)

Jeanne McGee

Date: 8/4/2019 8:02:00 PM

Congrats on your POTD...this is one of my all time favorite poems...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:36:00 PM

Oh my goodness, Jeanne, that is so wonderful, and I am so pleased that this one means so much to you, (as it does to me) ... many kind and sincere thanks to you, my friend, and blessings as always! :o) <3

Brandy Nicole

Date: 8/4/2019 6:30:00 PM

You are still holding your Nana's Hands. Not Physically so, but through these memories you softly embrace. Through these moment you hold so close to your heart. This is so beautiful and tender. Congratulations Greg, on this win and on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:34:00 PM

Oh, you are so kind to say so, and that's what I was feeling while I wrote it ... her bony-but-gently-loving hand around mine, so secure and careful! You have a way of putting everything in proper context, Brandy, and I am so thankful for that and your kindness. Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Panagiota Romios

Date: 8/4/2019 3:56:00 PM

Congratulations, Panagiota

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:32:00 PM

Thank you so much! :o)

Sandra Adams

Date: 8/4/2019 1:21:00 PM

Nothing like a grandmother's love to carry on in our memories... this was one of my favorites in the contest, so glad to see it made poem of the day, congratulations on both wins with this gem :) hugs

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:32:00 PM

You are very kind to say so, Sandra, and I'm so thankful that you enjoyed this poem about my Nana - blessings to you, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Maureen McGreavy

Date: 8/4/2019 11:35:00 AM

Bill Withers' Grandma's Hands playing in my head for this one. Lovely done my friend, congratulations for your win and POTD honours! xomo <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:31:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Maureen, I'm so pleased you liked my poem, and that it brought nice music to mind. Blessings! :o) <3

Chantelle Anne Cooke

Date: 8/4/2019 10:53:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:30:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Chantelle - blessings, Friend! :o) <3 (Hey - did you ever live in Maine?)

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 8/4/2019 10:18:00 AM

Back to say Congratulations!!!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:29:00 PM

Thanks so much, Sunlite! :o) <3

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/4/2019 9:56:00 AM

I enjoyed this POTD, congrats.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:29:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Richard - blessings, my friend! :o)

Indiana Shaw

Date: 8/4/2019 9:44:00 AM

You have done such poetic justice to such a wonderful and worthy "Nan" and taken us all back in time we can all remember and understand . . . : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:28:00 PM

This is very sweet, Indiana, and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it, and that so many others can relate in such poignant and joyous memories of their own! Many kind thanks and sincere blessings to you, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Sunshine Smile

Date: 8/4/2019 8:30:00 AM

- Love and deep feeling ... a wonderful poem, Gregory :) - Congratulations on your well deserved p.o.t.d. :) - // Anne-Lise :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:26:00 PM

That's very sweet of you to say, Anne-Lise - many thanks and blessings to you, Dear Lady! :o) <3

Maria Williams

Date: 8/4/2019 8:22:00 AM

What a loving tribute to an Angel in your life Greg. It really moved me as I remembered my own grandmother, and always holding those beautiful hands of hers. Congratulations on your very deserving POTD....Maria Hugs

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:24:00 PM

What a sweet and thoughtful comment, Maria, and I thank you so very much - I'm so pleased my poem about my sweet nan touched your heart and reminded you of your OWN angel! We were both so blessed to have known such courageous and loving women, and the benefits of their wondrous hands. Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Arturo Michael

Date: 8/4/2019 8:08:00 AM

What lovely hands you held...Your Nana's hands...Congratulation Gregory...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:20:00 PM

Amen, Arturo - well-said, My Poet Brother! Many thanks and blessings to you! :o)

Winged Warrior

Date: 8/4/2019 7:39:00 AM

We love our Nana's hands...her hands raised me like a son...loved your version my poetic brother...and Congrats!! on POTD!! Greg...sending hand lotion lol...^WW^ :o)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/1/2019 11:19:00 PM

LOL! Thank you so much, Buddy - as long as it's got cocoa butter! So pleased you enjoyed my poem about my sweet Nana ... blessings and best wishes to you, (and a nail brush)!! ;o)