BY MY HANDS

I'm smoking in a creative frenzy
I easily duplicate an image in my mind

Upon completion ...

I crack my knuckles
Strecth my arms high and then wide
I roll my head from side to side
I take a deep breath and relaxingly sigh.

Defensively held between my lips
I eagerly light a cigarette!

With each haul that I take I critique my own work
As I ponder my colors or choice of words
In my hand another cigarette burns!

Smoke sprials upwards aimlessly and free
So similar to the images in my mind I see

And at the end of the day ...

My hands are sore
My voice is marred
And two pack of cigarettes empty they lay
Beside the creation of a productive day.

Don't look to my face to see who I am
Just take a look at my hard working hands!

Hands covered with paint
Smudged with ink
Nicotine stains
And joints that ache.

They are the key to my mind
So fragile yet strong
Creative and self destructive
My hands show it all !

-AJLH 1997