Hands of Time

I gazed upon these hands of time and in my mind I had so many questions --

What did these hands look like when they belonged to a young woman?
Did they hold her future dreams in the touch of a dress,
a dancing dress, whirling, twirling on a stage of dreams to come true?

Or did they hold a mop, a broom and a scrub brush,
that cast a dim view of the only way out --
marriage, a life style of her mother.
Not free to be what you wanted to be,
but a life of what was expected you would be!

Did these hands know love, motherhood, grandmotherhood;
or did these hands cover eyes of tearful sorrow at the loss of a lover, husband or child?

How many times did these hands reach up to the sky and cry out "WHY?"
How many times did these hands fold in prayer in surrender of self to the
almighty and prepare to die?

Did these hands touch the face of God in a newborn child?
Hold the hand of a friend, as they experienced life together as friends,
embracing the moments that only true friendship can bring?

Did these hands stroke the fur of a loving pet and feel what unconditional love
feels like?

Did these hands reach out in anger making fists to punch or flat hand to slap?

Did these hands beat a drum, the heartbeat of the people and reach into the past to create the future?
Did these hands hold a dance fan and raise it to the sky, praising Creator for the gift of dance and knowing why?

Did these hands teach others by reaching out in grace?

Did these hands feel the water from the clear blue stream and catch a glimpse of future dreams?

Did these hands?

I gazed upon these hands of time and longed for them to touch mine!

Boe Harris-Nakakakena (which means 'rattles with feet') is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Spirit Lake Dakota tribal groups. Boe travels and does presentations extensively and is known also for her gifts in traditional dance, jingle dance and Native American flute. Boe Harris-Nakakakena is a member of the St. John's UMC in Seaford, Delaware.

Copyright 2009 © Boe Harris (Nakakakena). Used by Permission. Reproduction granted for use in church worship services. Any further use beyond worship services must be with permission from the author.