People often wonder how my husband and I ever got together. How we ever lasted over 35 years. Sometimes, it’s a mystery to me as well, but I’m always thankful. He is a man who defies description, but describes himself as a “hippie, red-neck philosopher.” He would be the first to admit that he has some rough edges, but he is a man to admire–someone who works hard at being his best self. He makes me a better person, too. He turned 60 recently and I wrote this poem for him.
Something you should know
(After Clint Smith)
is that I find your hands beautiful.
I know you’ll laugh when you read this,
hold up your knobby hands,
rippled with callouses and scars
of unknown origins,
thick-fingered with nails bitten
into deformity
These hands? you’ll ask.
Yes, those hands,
your hands
I find them beautiful.
Achingly so.
How they cradled our children
How they dance across my skin
How I know they will be there
when I reach out with mine.
And how those quick-bitten nails
record the unceasing effort,
the struggle you put
into living your best life
every single day.
Heroism at its most fundamental.
Beautiful.
©Molly Hogan
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Tabatha at her blog, The Opposite of Indifference.
Nix the comfort zone 
Heart melt, Molly & bithday joy to your fella!
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Thanks, Jan! I’ll pass along the good wishes.
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What a romantic birthday gift! “Unceasing effort” is attractive…there’s just something wonderful about doing the work, every day.
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It wows me!
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Your love poems are simply the best. He’s a lucky guy. You’re a lucky duo.
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Thanks! We both feel lucky …most of the time ! lol
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Heart melt for sure. Isn’t it amazing how beauty expands as we live more years? There’s so much that just stops me with its beauty now that I never even noticed earlier in my life. Hands of loved ones are truly beautiful.
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Molly, your poem is work every year of your love life. It is a tender, sweet gift to your husband. Enjoy more decades of joy.
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Oops the typo monster came so let me rewrite my comment: Yur poem is WORTH every year of your life life.
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I remember this one, Molly–I hope K liked his bday present. We sure do.
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As a nail-biter, I love that they record the struggle to live our best life! Really sweet gift for a hubby!
Patricia
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I’m so glad I had the chance to meet Kurt and see him in your writing. This is a beautiful love poem. How did he take turning 60? I’ve not been a fan, if I say so myself. But I’m learning to be grateful for small things and for a long love. Jeff and I are in our 43rd year.
If he is someone who cries, I imagine tears welling when he read this poem. I know I would.
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Wow! What a love letter! Kurt and Molly sitting in a tree…!
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It’s so filled with love, Molly, every bit! My anniversary was Friday & though he’s 12 years gone, you made me remember so much with ‘How I know they will be there’. Happy Birthday to your dear one!
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It looks like my comment didn’t make it! I was appreciating “unceasing effort” and how attractive reliability is. Congrats to you both!
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What a beautiful poem!
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Such heart here, and passion too, thanks Molly!
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This is absolutely gorgeous, Molly.
And I had to laugh at your opening words because people have often wondered how my husband and I got together too (and how we’ve lasted 41 years) and my husband, too, defies description. So, I just loved everything about this!
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Molly: This is a beautiful love poem. Cheryl
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There is more beauty in raw honesty than in chocolate box love poems. This is all heart, Molly.
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Molly, wow!! What a sweet love poem. It is gorgeous, your joy and love expressed in appreciation for these hands.
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Do you two know of Trae Crowder, a comedian from Tennessee? He wrote the Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin’ Dixie Outta the Dark. With your description of Kurt, you might like his humor. We do!
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Trae Crowder is great. I have tried to leave a comment on this post a couple of times…I’m not sure what the trouble is 🙂 Congrats to you both!
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