Were you ever asked to ‘give a hand?’
What kind of hand did you give?
Was it the hand that shoved people
Down,
Or did it pick them
Up?
Was it the hand that pointed
In blame,
Or the hand that beckoned others
To join?
Was it the hand that reached
Higher
By putting others
Down?

Are you ever asked to ‘give a hand?’
What kind of hand do you give?
Is it the hand that closes
In a fist,
Or the hand that opens
In welcome?
Do you give the hand
That holds a gun,
Or the hand
That puts it down?
Is it the hand
That flips open a knife,
Or the hand
That opens a door?
Do you give the hand that
Hurts,
Or the hand that
Heals?
Does it destroy
Someone’s world,
Or
Does it rebuild?

You will be asked to ‘give a hand’
What kind of hand will you give?
Will it be the hand that buries
A friend,
Or the hand that holds them
Dear?
Will it be the hand that
Ends a friendship,
Or the hand that
Rekindles one?
Will it be the hand that
Leaves,
Or the hand that
Reunites?

I have been asked to ‘give a hand.’
I don’t want to give the hand
That shoves,
Or hurts,
Or blames.
I don’t want to be
The hand that reaches
With fist,
Or blade,
Or gun.
I want to give the hand that
Helps,
That heals,
That calls to others to join.
The hand that is there
For a friend,
Or a stranger,
In need.
The hand that helps someone
See who they are,
And be
All they can be.

Please,
Will you give me
A hand?