The Deserving Hands

Poor in Pursuit I’ve been rich in Restraint But my heart is now in my hands!   What have I not done with these two little hands? Butterflies and lady bugs I caught as a child it’s true Exams I wrote in my youth that’s a fact With just a few strokes I signed my life Into the hands of another! To adorn these with painted nails and diamond rings   Within the four walls of my Castle No stones were left unturned! This Cinderella mopped floors and cleaned toilets Massaged feet of her loved ones With skilful stroke of finger tips, transformed fabrics into garments Planted flowers, frozen fingers even shovelled snow Oh those pots and pans and Mr. Clean in my hands!   With these two gadgets of mine I’ve bandaged wounds, patted shoulders Counted pennies during tough times Clinched these into tight fists to curb my own anger Then resorted to raise them in prayers!   I even acquired skills To shake these hands with total strangers In a manner that would clinch business deals Often more profitable to others! With these same two hands To win medals I’ve played games Games of fidelity too   These fingertips adapted to modern technology Through my poetry, plays and painted portraits I captured moments of pleasure and pain. All the while in toil Through tasks interesting or chores boring I was tuned in to music, only in the background though After all I added aesthetics to my own dance And to the dance of life   But when I listen to music now These hands have a nagging craving To be gently held by someone in tune Who truly understands my personality Beyond superficiality and physicality! Who I truly am and how I’ve come thus far Someone who has never raised voice on me nor ever will It’s not the temporary pedestal that I need either. I know it’ll never be It’s just a fantasy But my heart is now in my hands And butterflies perhaps out of reach! ........................................ Zohra Zoberi  Feb 15, 2009