man's hands

in man's hands we find all the answers;
the creation from dust
the sweet pleasure of lust
the erection of steel
to the helpless pleading appeal.
the power held by wealth
and the sad frailty of failing health.
the gentle caress
with just an edge of roughness.
the knuckles knotted in hate
encircling the bad of love inscribed with a date.
the world of his skill
in the grasp of a quill.
the nervous tapping.
the joyous clapping.
the sweat of a boy hiding
to the patient parent's guiding.
if you look at his hands, you view his soul.
for whom do they reach, surrender, enfold?
do you feel their touch, their sweetness, their grudge?
for it's not difficult to misjudge.
the worth of a man
lies truly in his hands.