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A CLOSED HAND
By BASIL GEORGE

With a closed hand
in front of your face
you see only the lines
of your life in your palm

Open fingers fade away
in an outstretched hand
you see light on faces
eyes with smiling lines

Through fingers of trees
you see moonlight on the sea
light shining on rooftops
the road a Milky Way

You see life in all its seasons
Spring birth, Summer smiles
Autumn chill, Winter's dark mask
seasons children have to stride

Children taught the hand to hold
eyes not lips that smile
the bed in which to lie
the cup from which to sip

A village trusted to raise a child
as its most precious gift
family, friend, teacher, nurse
the village road to tread

You see hands reaching out
connecting lines in their palms
holding strong in friendship
trust in the lines of their eyes