MY MOTHER’S HANDS
(in memory of my mother Ita Dempsey)

My mother’s hands

washing potatoes
washing kids
washing pans.

My mother’s hands
on bitterly cold days

******* yet more washing
on a pregnant line

the line growing nothing but
nappies

her hands blind
with the cold.

My mother’s hands

ironing clothes
ironing clothes
ironing countless knickers
for my seven sisters.

My mother’s hands

taking my hands
in hers

such love...such laughter!

My mother’s hands
patting talcum powder

on another baby's ***.

Mum being Mum.

Me, kissing

my mother’s hands

for all...they’ve done.