These Hands: A Poem by Barbara Burgess

These hands join in marriage.
These hands hold a newborn baby.

These hands raise in fear.
These hands fold in prayer.

These hands fight for freedom.
These hands fold the flag.

These hands hold a soldier's life.
These hands hold the hands of the ones whose life is slipping away.

These are the hands of a father, a son, a mother, a daughter.
These are the hands of an American soldier, sailor, marine and guard.