Today’s poem is a response to this week’s prompt from Today’s Little Ditty. “For this week’s challenge, I’ve selected “These Are the Hands” (Chapter 39) from Part 3 of My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice. It’s a prompt about empathy— something we so desperately need more of in today’s world. The prompt was inspired by a poem by Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, titled These are the hands that could sand a wooden bench.“
Palm Sunday
These hands
weeding, discovered palms,
and wondered…
Will these old palms
make supple crosses?These hands
cut long strips
of granite green.
A mind-memory of angle to knot,
thread through, criss-cross.These hands
@Margaret Simon, draft
delivered simple gifts
to lonely, sheltered neighbors,
a churchless congregation
praying together.
Reflections on the Teche 