Reely's Poetry Blog

by ELLEN M.H. GATES (1835-1920)

SUCH beautiful, beautiful hands, 
   They're neither white nor small;
And you, I know, would scarcely think 
   That they were fair at all.
I've looked on hands whose form and hue 
   A sculptor's dream might be,
Yet are these agéd wrinkled hands
   Most beautiful to me.

Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
   Though heart were weary and sad
These patient hands kept toiling on
   That the children might be glad.
I almost weep when looking back
   To childhood's distant day!
I think how these hands rested not
   When mine were at their play.

Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
   They're growing feeble now,
And time and pain have left their mark
   On hand, and heart and brow.
Alas! alas! the nearing time — 
   And the sad, sad day to me,
When 'neath the daisies, out of sight,
   These hands must folded be.

But, oh! beyond the shadowy lands,
   Where all is bright and fair,
I know full well these dear old hands
   Will palms of victory bear;
When crystal streams, through endless years,
   Flow over golden sands,
And where the old are young again,
   I'll clasp my mother's hands.