Hands, plump and pink
Fumbling with popsicle sticks
Fingers, sticky with school glue
Let me help you with those scissors
Faces, satin skin and rosy cheeks
Milk moustaches and
Tooth-fairy smiles
No, don‘t pour the apple juice yourself
Eyes, wide with wonder
Seeing everything for the first time
Letters and words still a mysterious jumble
Make a circle - let‘s start that story I promised
“The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round
All around the town”
Hands, arthritic and wrinkled
Crisscrossed with road-map veins
Tremors, weakness
Would you like some banana bread and coffee?
Faces, creased with years, sallow
But instantly aglow at the sight of a visitor
So grateful for the company and the kindness
Yes, I can sit with you a moment longer
Eyes, tired and straining
But wise from having seen it all
Bingo cards a blur
Spread out your cards - I can help you find the numbers
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray”
The simple kindnesses,
I never knew they would mean so much
Not just to them, but to me
This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.
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