HANDS OF A BOY

Minute, glimpsed from beneath blue blanket,

fingers fanned softly as dreams disturb.

Tenuous grasp – vice grip in possession.

Small puzzling absorptions

to become missile throwers. Selecting, discarding.

Hard pistons in defence or attack,

spread wide to trap the errant ball.

Reluctant holders of pens to fly in impatience

or studiously in chewing thought.

Sensitive in precision

careless to broken crockery.

Palms broaden, fingers strengthen

to pot the black mend the bike –

ensnare fish,

tend seedlings.

Busy, clumsy, helpful in turn –

soon to be the hands of a man.