Hands

The hands that had brown spots on,
The hands with veins that resist my touch,
The hands with the mole at the base of the thumb,
All held me when I needed them.

The hands with freckles like stardust,
The hands with the dents of youth,
The hands with a sprinkle of hair on the knuckles,
All squeezed mine when I needed them.

The hands with nails that were filed for her,
The hands with bitten nail beds,
The hands with square palms,
All touched my shoulder when I needed them.

The hands with a protective down,
The hands with light life lines,
The hands with a manicure
All clapped when I needed them.

But the hands I need have
Long slender fingers,
Square nails,
And a warmth that fills me completely
Are absent from the equation.