photo by Alex Lear

Download 08_I_Have_My_Mothers_Hands_Bi-Ba-Butzemann.mp3

i have my mother’s hands

though cancer claimed 

my mother’s body decades ago 

inola’s reincarnation remains within me

a deeply treasured and unerring auditor—

an inquisitive, music loving child

with eyes wide bright and earth brown

whose trusting reach upthrusting 

to clasp a helping man’s hand 

unclenches the maleness of my fist 

and continually causes my essence 

to cup the strength of masculine fingers 

into the soft of a flesh spoon

emulating and saluting the feminine 

gesture of giving unconditionally

_________________

Music: “Reflections” by Thelonious Monk

Kalamu ya Salaam – vocals

Frank Bruckner – guitar

—kalamu ya salaam