Monday, June 19, 2017

Hands in Poems: Gerard Rochford



My father's hand

I like to wear a band around my wrist, 
an amulet of copper, links of bling, 
a hippy weave of cotton or dried grass. 
 Reminds me of the change 
my father made as I grew up 
from toddler to walker. Crossing a road 
he stops holding my hand 
and wraps his finger and thumb  
around my wrist. 

My bracelet now is like the brag
of a teenager leaving home, 
flashing a cell-phone 
where father's number sleeps. 

I wear my father's hand around my wrist.
BF

published on Poetry Scotland website, Open Mouse page, 2006

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