Hold my Hand

as we set off to walk home, 

I asked her to hold my hand,

after a short search I found her fingers

nestled in the sleeve of her winter coat,

she asked why I wanted to hold her hand

because when you’re older, I said

you won’t want to hold my hand anymore,

but I’ll always hold your hand Papa

she said solemnly,

well, your mum used to

hold my hand when

she was my little girl

but she doesn’t anymore

she holds your daddy’s hand instead,

well I’ll always hold your hand 

even when I’m twenty-one

she said emphatically,

so, I gently squeezed hers, saying

I’ll always hold your hand Bea,

wherever you are, however old,

even when you cannot see me anymore

I’ll always hold your hand

*

© Graham R Sherwood 02/22