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My Father's Hands

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(Pop, Edwin Richard Etgen, circa 1984)

“It is never the roughness of the hands but the temperament of the soul that matters. Show me a well-tempered man, and I see a great blessing. Gentleness, softness, come from inner strength.” (quote by the author)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sat beside his hospital bed holding his hands: rough hands reflecting a soft heart and naked soul. They were plumber’s hands—masterpieces, artwork built of a lifetime of stoicism, patience, and undying love for his family and his profession. These were my father’s hands. his hands strong and callous they were industrious grasping, digging, fixing, caring his tools

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Paige Hind

Date: 2/5/2024 4:38:00 PM

How touching. Thanks for sharing it.

Regina Elliott

Date: 2/3/2024 9:55:00 AM

A loving tribute poem for your beloved father, Sara. I have deep respect for blue collar workers who are the salt of the earth. Very tenderly written, a FAVE. Hugs xoxx

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/3/2024 6:02:00 PM

ahhh, you're most kind, Regina. I agree, Blue Collar workers are the foundation of any country and culture. I'm grateful for your visit and your fave...have a pleasant evening, Sara

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 2/3/2024 8:18:00 AM

A beautiful poem, Sara. It is amazing how the hands of our fathers, so strong and calloused could give so much tenderness and love. A great tribute, my friend.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/3/2024 6:02:00 PM

I agree, Jerry. Strong and calloused hands are loving and tender...such a shark contrast. Appreciate your visit and your insights...have a great evening, Sara

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 2/2/2024 7:43:00 PM

A wonderful write! My mom passed away and now I have spent much time with my Dad who I haven’t loved as much as I love now. I found he has a wonderful heart and great stories.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/3/2024 5:17:00 AM

sorry to hear about your loss...hard to lose one's mother...redefines us for sure. But how delightful that your getting to know your dad and appreciating him. That's so heartwarming...have a pleasant day...thanks for stopping by, hugs, Sara

Bill Baker

Date: 2/2/2024 5:00:00 PM

And fishing! :-) lovely poetry about a great man, POP to me. He's probably smiling in heaven and proud of his Sara. Love, Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/3/2024 5:16:00 AM

thank you, hubby. Pop loved you too...he's smiling in heaven because of the love you give and for caring for me....hugs, Sara

Silent One

Date: 2/2/2024 11:10:00 AM

Hey Sara, your poem tenderly captures the essence of the father through the imagery of his hands and his life's work. It celebrates his strength, dedication, and love, while also conveying the speaker's deep admiration and gratitude for the profound impact he has had on their lives..

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:42:00 PM

you're right, Silent One. I woke up thinking about my father and wanted to pay homage to him, the most honorable, kind, and integrous man I've ever known. Thanks for stopping by, Sara

Jay Narain

Date: 2/2/2024 10:39:00 AM

Nice tribute to your Dad.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:37:00 PM

thank you, Jay...have a great weekend, Sara

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/2/2024 8:11:00 AM

I found this very moving. My dad’s name is also Eddie. I wish I had memories like yours. My dad had soft hands and wasn’t inclined to look out for anyone but himself.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:41:00 PM

I'm grateful my poem moved you, Richard...interesting that our fathers shared the same name....sorry, though, your dad was inclined to think more of himself than others. I appreciate your visit and for sharing. Have a pleasant evening, Sara

Sotto Poet

Date: 2/2/2024 6:56:00 AM

Dear Sara, your poem is a truly magnificent homage to your Father. There is a certain dignity and reliability inherent in hands that have toiled with a spirit of selfless dedication and genuine gentleness. His unwavering commitment to both his work and his family is truly commendable. The depth of love you hold for your father resonates profoundly in the verses of your poem.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:40:00 PM

thank you, dear Sotto, for your kind and mindful words...grateful you appreciated my homage to my dad. We had a special bond and a timeless love and respect for one another....he was the most honorable, kind, and integrous man I've ever known. Thanks for your visit and enjoy your weekend, your poetess friend in Texas, Sara

Vijay Pandit

Date: 2/2/2024 5:08:00 AM

This heartfelt poem--a tribute to your father, Sara. He was devoted to work and family --an honorable way to be.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:38:00 PM

thank you, Vijay, for visiting and for commenting. Yes, my dad was an honorable man. Have a great evening, Sara

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 2/2/2024 3:22:00 AM

- These are like my father's hands, Sara ... I held them in my hands until his last breath ... once strong hands .. worn by his work ... soft with love (in his way ... he was not good at showing emotions ... ) - A lovely poem, Sara :) - hugs

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:38:00 PM

I love your poetic comments and am grateful for your visit and kind words...have a great weekend, hugs, Sara

Christopher Grieves

Date: 2/2/2024 2:58:00 AM

As you can probably guess, Sara, I can resonate with your poignant words here. This is just a majestic tribute to your Father. There is something honourable and trust-worthy about hands that have laboured from a spirit of serving in honest, gentle labour. It's beautiful and I must favourite xx

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:36:00 PM

awww, thank you Chris, for your mindful and kind comments. I agree...there's something honorable and integrous about hands that labor from love and serving. My dad had great integrity...miss him. I'm gratefully humble for the fave. Appreciate you, enjoy your weekend, Sara

Sara Kendrick

Date: 2/2/2024 2:57:00 AM

Ahhhh!!! I can feel the love you had for your father in the words of your poem. Thanks for sharing this snippet of your life and your father's life with us. Your visit to my page was uplifting. Sara K

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/2/2024 3:35:00 PM

thanks for your visit and for your kind words about my poem and my relationship with my father. Appreciate you, Sara B