i gaze upon my mother's hands
see my own reflected there
my
daughter's, granddaughter's
grandmother's as well
hands
folded in her lap, nails polished red
diamonds sparkling on her fingers
no
awareness of how beautiful she is
hands
that are capable,
strong, yet vulnerable ~~
memories of holding hands
will linger in my mind
her
warm embrace, her tender kiss
the I love you we left behind
