MY HANDS

A poem that I read to my daughter tonight; from a book we've had for almost a year, that I hadn't cracked open yet. It made me truly want this vision for her, for her hands - to toil with work that is good and honest and which makes her happy without harming others. And it made me want that for myself, as well.

May my hands be helping hands
For all that must be done,
That fetch and carry, lift and hold
And make the hard jobs fun.

May my hands be clever hands
In all I make and do
With bricks and blocks, with sand and clay,
With paper, paint and glue.

May my hands be gentle hands
And may I never dare
To poke and rod and hurt and harm
But touch with love and care.