This week we stared at our hands for five minutes! This was an excercise to reclaim our attention that was inspired by the Friends of Attention, a nonprofit in New York. Staring at our hand is an antidote to the automatic ritual of looking at our phones but it's more than that, it's about connecting with our body and the world around us, it's about what we value and how we live our lives. Where we put our attention is our life! Needless to say this inspired some thoughtful poems!
Attention, In My Hand
I’m looking
Looking deep
Deep into my palm
My palm with crevices
Crevices of life
Life lived hard
Hard times with scars
Scars that tell stories
Stories of my existence
Existence of years
Years while growing
Growing older and wiser
Wiser to make choices
Choices of affirmation
Affirmation of choice
In my hand…
- by Jenn
The Soft Hand
I hear the movement like a small stream within
The blood in her hand
And her skin
I hear its life force
Warmed by the red blood
Moving through the finger muscles
Or however that works
I hear the shaking of the fingers
And the shaking of the palms
The nerves working to compensate
As the air slowly moves through
Softly touching the hand
Gently creating small flickering
Movements - fingers and nails
And the air, wherever it comes from
Gently reminds the hand
That it too is alive, as are the
Reflections of light that beam
Oh breath of life, breathe on this hand
- by Haki Davis
Holding Hands
My hand is holding gold
Giving myself
Holding seeds
About to be planted
Do not be afraid
I'm your friend
Here is my hand
I'm giving it to you
Take my hand and show me
What it can do
- by June Madsen
