Haunds

HAUNDS

 

 

 

I looked at ma hauns the day,

 

 an’ read a life.

 

Saw in them  a’ their trials

 

Remembered them dreech’d wi’ sweat

 

Haudin’anithers – likely o’er ticht!

 

Clumsily securin’ a future wi’ a  gowd band.

 

An’ graspin; for the first time

 

 Jist an inklin’ o’ meanin’ at ane o’ life’s mony changes.

 

 

 

I remembered their awkward fumblins………….

 

Haundlin’ each one o’ the bairnies.

 

Fingers nae bigger than stub pencils.

 

Jist fragments o’ life.

 

Hands sae wee, fleshy an’ smooth

 

An’ mine big, red an’ glaikit -

 

Clumsy like the first try at a tender kiss

 

Or a roch grasp roon’ a tiny waist

 

At a first dance

 

  

 

 Wantin’ tae haud tighter

 

Wantin’ tae be close

 

But feart, nae sure.

 

And later, needin’ tae haud…

 

Sometimes, if truth be telt,  tae haud on for dear life!

 

Haudin’ on tae things sae precious

 

Yet sae easy pu’ed awa’

 

 

Then later, growin’ gallus

 

Throwin’ a bairn skywards

 

Catchin’ that instant when een tae een

 

 Each senses the ither’s hesitancy.

 

 Wide eyed panic in baith pairs o’ een

 

An’ then....... a sharp gaitherin’ o’ breath afore…..

 

Afore, blessed relief, wi’ lauch an’ chortle

 

These muckle paws clutch tae safety

 

A’ that bricht future.

 

 

 

These same haunds that, caloused, broon and strang

 

Uselessly tried stemmin’ dykes

 

Vainly attempting tae shelter them frae life's wild waters

 

 that roared in an’ roon’ aboot

 

 Seemin’ hopeless.

 

 

Mind ae times I could still catch.  

 

Save them frae the worst o’ the dunts

 

An' turn  the hardest o'  fa’s intae jist

 

a stumble.

 

 

 

Ma hauns -  look at them noo

 

A bit wearier frae a’ that catchin’

 

But much mair secure

 

Much mair confident

 

An’ never, never tired o’ haudin’

 

Haudin’ the things that I haud sae dear.

 

They could niver dae eneugh o that!

 

 

 

 @Chas. A Milne 2001