Best Callused Poems

Callused fingers press vibrating strings;
drawing passion from a violin.
With the burnished wood snug to his cheek,
the violinist plays from his heart.

Subtle vibes saturate my being
as crying strings elicit feelings.
And expounding on love's betrayal;
music stirs the imagination.

His bow hangs like a lingering kiss;
savoring the taste of...

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Can your calluses callus enough that God’s touch
will not touch a nerve ending (to reach you) if God
wants to kiss you (wants contact?) Yes, there! I’d guess not!
But that does leave unanswered if God would allow
you to ‘unfeel’ that feeling, to unring His knock
up your...

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blue-collar worker
the calluses on his hands ~
a badge of honor



Date written: 08/11/2020...

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Flinty and Callused

In this miner’s shack
the vase on the dresser
squats beneath
a giant cactus
planted by hands
flinty and callused.

“When Mona was here,
this vase got roses,
nothing else.
After she left  
I gave it this cactus.
It never needs water.” 


Donal Mahoney...

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