Cloistered
These Hands
These hands belong to a pilgrim
walker on the road
traveler to Santiago
carrying his coquille
shell St. Jacques
perfect crisp smooth clear
These hands write
they love
they join in laughter
they live life
Life that began when a boy
first dug in the dirt
by a creek in the bush
under gum trees
Australian sun
blue skies
and a laughing kookaburra
They have pulled guided
worked to make a life
with words and love
the meeting and forming
of people’s needs
They rest now
or at least work differently
write poems
photograph
record reflect
plant seeds
this summer’s
tomatoes basil
sunflowers
in rich soft deep dark
Carmel Valley soil
They hold the hand of a lover
make supper for his family
dial the phone to reach connect
They join together
touch lightly softly
sweet
in prayer
gratitude
love and hope
For today
and tomorrow
These hands are mine
Robert Nielsen is a Carmel Valley poet, writer, photographer, and painter, and has segued into full-time art-making after practicing law for many years. Born in Australia, with roots also in New Zealand, Denmark, the British Isles, France, and Spain, he has lived, studied, worked, and traveled in a number of countries. His art is essentially narrative in nature, and reflects his perceptions, feelings, dreams and stories, and also his worldwide experiences. His poetry has appeared in various anthologies, journals, and other publications; his award-winning photographs have been exhibited and included in public and private galleries and collections in the United States and other countries. He serves as a co-host of the Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Monthly Reading Series. His website is at www.pilgrim-arts.com
These hands belong to a pilgrim
walker on the road
traveler to Santiago
carrying his coquille
shell St. Jacques
perfect crisp smooth clear
These hands write
they love
they join in laughter
they live life
Life that began when a boy
first dug in the dirt
by a creek in the bush
under gum trees
Australian sun
blue skies
and a laughing kookaburra
They have pulled guided
worked to make a life
with words and love
the meeting and forming
of people’s needs
They rest now
or at least work differently
write poems
photograph
record reflect
plant seeds
this summer’s
tomatoes basil
sunflowers
in rich soft deep dark
Carmel Valley soil
They hold the hand of a lover
make supper for his family
dial the phone to reach connect
They join together
touch lightly softly
sweet
in prayer
gratitude
love and hope
For today
and tomorrow
These hands are mine
Robert Nielsen is a Carmel Valley poet, writer, photographer, and painter, and has segued into full-time art-making after practicing law for many years. Born in Australia, with roots also in New Zealand, Denmark, the British Isles, France, and Spain, he has lived, studied, worked, and traveled in a number of countries. His art is essentially narrative in nature, and reflects his perceptions, feelings, dreams and stories, and also his worldwide experiences. His poetry has appeared in various anthologies, journals, and other publications; his award-winning photographs have been exhibited and included in public and private galleries and collections in the United States and other countries. He serves as a co-host of the Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Monthly Reading Series. His website is at www.pilgrim-arts.com
