8-Minute Poem Of Gratitude For Hands

This is an 8-minute poem that brings awarenss to the hands. It was written and recorded by poet and performance artist, Stefani Alzati. The aim is to use the hands as an object of meditation by creating a lullaby-like experience with a light peppering of questions to serve to keep focus on one object (the hands). It is poem.

Transcript

This is a poem focusing on our hands, Providing some awareness and gratitude for our hands. Thank you hands. My grandmother on my father's side used to say that idle hands were the devil's play things. Keep them busy, She remarked, Always busy. My grandmother on my mother's side told me she hated how her hands marked the time, The years of her life on display for all to see. Through her wrinkles, Spots, And veins, She told me to always wear gloves, Especially when I did the dishes. She told me to never forget the lotion, To protect and soothe my skin. Because of her, I have invested in a matching set. Soap and lotion both, They sit on my counter. The lotion usually remains untouched, A sad reminder of how I am so busy that I can't be bothered returning to the bottles after I have dried my hands on the hanging towel. Are hands supposed to be busy all the time? What ideas of hands do you have in mind? Notice them now. Start to feel them from the inside out. Stretch out your fingers, Bury them in your palms. Like a child, Explore your hands as if you were looking at them for the first time, Wide eyed. Are your fingers wide or long? Stretch them out and notice the hand of which they belong. Notice your hands, Past the wrinkles that show your physical age. Your hands have marks that symbolize the pages of your life. Wrinkles, Lifelines, Worries, A moment in time for every memory. Thank you, Hands. The times you created leafy greens to nourish your body with, Your hands touching life's connection and force. Thank you, Hands. The times you smashed sugar treats in between your teeth, Sitting in your car, Overwhelmed, Your hands clutching at straws. Thank you, Hands. The times you held the hands of friends, Lovers, Loved ones, And that last time. The times you had to let them go, Your hands fumbling, But doing it anyway. Thank you, Hands. And it's okay if here your hands start to shake and they can keep the pain no longer and you start to break. Thank you, Hands. Hands are hands always there, Always willing, Always up for adventure. What is the last adventure you went on? What did your hands like to touch the best? In which ways did you put them to the test? Thank you, Hands. Think about your day from the perspective of your hands, From the beginning in bed, Shifting and uncurling blankets, Reaching for things that would aid in the day, Physical objects, Buttons on an alarm clock, Water, Toothbrush, Floss. Your hands expertly navigated the morning routine. Thank you, Hands. A dirty sock to pick up here, Oatmeal to make over there. Your hands touch your life intimately, Knowing how to select the tools to wash and then to wash each other, To wash your face. With such a gentle touch, Your hands know when to go slowly and when to rush. When people come into our lives, Our hands know exactly what kind of touch is needed. Imagine that touch. Imagine touching your loved one whose touch you miss so much, Your hands expertly finding that place on the skin to touch, Shoulders or back, More hands or maybe a face. Breathe in deeply here and touch with your hands into the air. Think of the person you crave to be near. What a gift that your hands remember after all these years. Thank you, Hands, For helping us hold and helping us love over and over again. Take a few breaths here. In and out. And as you do, Think of all that your hands have done for you today and yesterday. The years spent together with the gift of touch, Hands know how to go slowly. They know how to rush. If your hands had a resume, What kind of things would it say? We often disengage and simply go on our way. But remember what your hands can do from hugging children to tying a shoe, From pleasurable jobs like fluffing pillows to visceral ones like unplugging drains. Your hands know how to do so many amazing things. Think about how much your hands do for you. Thank you, Hands. Think of the times you washed your hands in the last week. How much has it increased during this pandemic? Enduring cracks and dryness and they still protected you and allow you to move. Touch your hands together. Thank you, Hands, For opening jars, Car doors, Bottles, Cans and umbrellas. For digging into gardens, Drawers, Laundry piles and papers. For caressing lovers, Babies, Pets, Precious things and elders. Take a moment now in gratitude to acknowledge all the things your hands do for you. Thank you, Hands. Thank you.