the hands are rough

the skin parched with thirst

and calloused with effort.

They say you can tell

a lot about somebody

by looking at their hands.

Tiny cuts and abrasions

give them character,

as well as denote

the activity of their owner.

One only need examine

the hands of another

and you can tell what type of man he is.

Is he someone who works hard,

late into the night,

ignoring injury to perfect his craft.

Or are the hands soft and unblemished,

the hands of someone who has never

seen an honest days work in their life.

Who has never known the torments

of hunger, and loneliness.

So i ask you to grasp the hands of those you love,

and be judge.