Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines

Our Mother's Hands
by Louise Dubrule

Version française

OUR MOTHER'S HANDS
changed diapers, wiped away
tears, soothed feverish brows,
patted round bottoms, and held
smaller hands against fears. They
drew water from the spring, did the
wash and ironing, tended kerosene lamps,
dusted and scrubbed floors. They milked
cows, collected eggs and worked in the hay fields. They
baked bread and pies, canned vegetables, picked berries for jam, and
were the driving force for the hotel, the school lunch program and Shore
Acres. They wore heavy gloves against the plywood splinters and often were so
rough that they needed white gloves to put on stockings to prevent snags.
They waited on customers in the store, hung wallpaper, painted porches and
storm windows and planted geraniums. They could sew, knit, crochet,
embroider, darn socks and braid hair. They probably did hundreds of other
nice or necessary things that nobody ever noticed and they certainly
counted untold numbers of rosaries. They've earned their eternal rest.

Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines
Copyright © 2003 & 2004 & 2005 Norm Léveillée
©Tous droits réservés