Of the differences between man and
woman here’s one: these hands. Not to forget,
it’s a woman who births these manly hands.
A man’s hands to elevate your Body, to
consecrate bread and wine, yes, a man’s hands,
a man’s hands to hold her close, to keep her
forever. But a man’s hands profaned and
pillagers are imprisoned from their potential.
When I see his hands I see mine. What lame
cause of action has kept these hands barren,
his fruitful. A man’s hands meant to consecrate
to bear much fruit. I look at them, how I
have commissioned them, what true capacity
lie wasting, henceforth to be awakened.
Many manly hands have had grace slip through
the fingers, covered the ears, covered the
eyes, covered the mouth and never uttered
your Sacred Name nor lifted your Body
and Blood. These hands of mine I study them
closely, a reflection of what could have been.
Gary Edward Geraci