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Sherwood G. Bowers
His Amazing Hands
by Gay Williford
Rough, cracked, always occupied–
my father’s hands.
Through his hands,
I discovered his many talents–
the way he took short-hand in the air
the grafting of a hybrid species of tree
the repair of many kinds of machinery or toys
the crafting of a poem or editorial letter
I learned the farming process–
how to prepare the soil
drop in the miraculous seed
fight weeds, drought and storms
glean, preserve and appreciate produce
Through his hands‐
I was taught the love of words,
to respect their power
to find delight in the sounds of poetry
to effectively arrange ideas
to craft something worthwhile
I developed perseverance–
how to stick to something difficult
to cope with the unexpected
to plant another if the first fails
to trust the sun will eventually shine
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