Crooked Fingers (Audio Version) by Veronica Cross at All poetry

The Millenium Tree - Copyright by Josephine Wall

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Click on above link for audio version

Narrated by ~ Yours Truly ~

Fond memories of my Grandma serve me well
Embroidery hoops held her fine linen in frame
Her crooked fingers ached; knuckles would swell
Grandma couldn’t recall when the onset came

Tablecloth is now etched in lace
Crooked fingers tie her leg brace
Warm, loving smile’s upon her face

Many years now she’s been gone
But in my heart she still lives on

My Father’s very old, but he’s still here with me
Amusing me so with those old jokes he tells
He walks bent, yet still the strong man I see
His crooked fingers ache and his knuckles swell

Watching close; aircraft gauge he details
Fine Dacron grasped; the needle impales
I’d much rather he be making boat sails

But that plane’s his force and drive
I’m just so grateful he’s still alive

I’m middle aged, not the young girl anymore
My Doctor says the Arthritis now’s in my neck
Most days life is good; my Grandkids I adore
If my fingers get crooked, well, what the heck!

Life is so sweet; each day I’ll embrace
I’ll take things in stride; keep up the pace
Accepting God’s plan with ease and grace

For this flaw’s in my lovely family
I'm sure in time it will pass on to me

<BR

Author notes

Commented on "Flawless"

This poem is about Rheumatoid Arthritis. It runs in our family, on my Father's side. Being that I am DEFINITELY my Father's Daughter, in just about every way possible, the chances are very likely it will be passed onto me. I've already been diagnosed with it, but only have a little of the pain from it (a lot in my neck) But it's inevitable that eventually I will be like my Grandma and Dad, unless they come up with a cure for it. I know that a LOT of exercise helps a great deal in preventing the rapid deterioration. I need to get back on track with that old workout routine! And yes, my Grandma loved to embroider and my Dad has an airplane that is his virtual project. It's a 1945 Stinson War Aircraft that he's had since I was born. I think he's rebuilt that thing about 10 times now

I'm not too worried about getting full blown Arthritis, however. Yes, it's painful; that I can tell already. But, whatever will be, will be. If I'm still here, I'll be very grateful. It's as simple as that

By the way, the laughing devil at the end? My hacker's idea of a clever joke. I now know what those initials BR stand for. Just add vowel in between those letters and it sort of gives you a clue. He now has the nerve to slip his first initial into what I happen to be typing now that I've made my discovery This laughing devil is not even on my poetry page where I can remove it. They have access to just about everything on this site now. They've even been setting up User Accounts and going after my kids on this site. Not a thing I can do about it, so sorry everyone. It's a shame when we must fear our own fellow poets; is it not?
Written June 22nd, 2006

In a list

A contest entry

Unbelievable Joy by Alicia-Nicole. 325 points, ended July 5, 2006, 4 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest

What did you think

Comments

1 - 13 of 13

By me, right now

Adding your comment:
JadedxPassion
May 15, 2007

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beautiful
i love this! i love that i can read and listen to your poem at the same time. great imagery, i really enjoy your poetry. all the best.xxo
Alicia-Nicole
July 5, 2006
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Beautiful poem. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, and putting it into my contest! It's not exactly a happy poem though, is it? Anyways, thank you for the entry!
Veronica Cross
June 25, 2006
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Thanks so much for your comment and compliment on "Crooked Fingers", Sarah. And I hate to say it, but Rheumatoid Arthritis is hereditary and there is a chance you might get it. But as my Doctor has told me, it seems to digress with each generation. Possibly due to our better 'nutritional opportunities' and other factors. My Dad doesn't have it as bad as my Grandma did and I doubt I will have it as bad as my Dad. It's a reality I must face and it's already begun, but it doesn't mean life is over, by any stetch of the word. And you shouldn't think that either

Tons of blessings and s

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
Fade From Memory
June 25, 2006
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It's great how you state that despite the Arthritis, your grandma still smiles, and your dad is still strong to you. It's a very optmistic perspective that I think my mother will appreciate. It makes me wonder though, if I will have Rheumatoid Arthritis too, eventually. Lovely poem, thanks for entering.

--Sarah
Veronica Cross
June 23, 2006
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Thank you for your comment and compliment on "Crooked Fingers", Mark I'm glad you enjoyed this enough to inspire as write of your own, about your own life. Please make sure to send me a link to your poem when you're finished. I'd love to read it! It's so true what you say about the hands. They do not lie about a person and are one of the most expressive features on any person. You'll notice, they are one of the first things to show age. You cannot hide what they've been through and they will tell on you, every time. Hands are indeed beautiful; aren't they?

Tons of blessings and s, Mark. Good luck on that write of yours

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
motown-junk
June 23, 2006
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interesting gene pool comment, think that may have just inspired me (although my gene pool isnt all that great - half of it at least). hands are definitely expressive, more so than eyes, which is what most poems tend to focus on (check out seamus heaney to prove me wrong) but eyes can lie. hands dont. keep an eye out for my gene pool poem if i manage to do it - think itl be along a similar theme, will i turn out the same, but with a much darker twist (itl all become clear if i manage it)

stay beautiful

Mark
Veronica Cross
June 22, 2006
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Thanks for your comment on "Crooked Fingers". Yes, this and other pieces I use for my poetry are done by Josephine Wall. I have her entire gallery. She is one of my favorite artists, EVER! I'm not a materialistic person, but the one thing I would love to have one day is one of her pieces. That's it! I'd be happy with that

Tons of s

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
Veronica Cross
June 22, 2006
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Thanks for your comment on "Crooked Fingers". Yes, this and other pieces I use for my poetry are done by Josephine Wall. I have her entire gallery. She is one of my favorite artists, EVER! I'm not a materialistic person, but the one thing I would love to have one day is one of her pieces. That's it! I'd be happy with that

Tons of s

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
Veronica Cross
June 22, 2006
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Thanks so much for your comment and compliment on "Crooked Fingers", Mark. Yes, this is an unusual subject matter and it's not like me to wander off the path of the usual poetry scenarios. This contest, however, inspired me to write about the only "genetic flaw" in my family. Other than this, I come from an extrememely healthy gene pool I, too, am a "hand person", as hands do indeed tell a great deal about someone. I'm especially drawn to men's hands and lower arms for some odd reason. It's one of the most attractive features on the male body.....hmmmmm

Tons of blessings and s, Mark.

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
motown-junk
June 22, 2006
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i liked this a lot. Not only does it invoke childhood memories (something which always makes me happy - yet sad in a way) it also highlights the way u remember certain things about people, like their crooked fingers. I also think u can tell a lot about a person by their hands, not in a palm reading sense, but what kind of person they are, their character. It's an unusal subject matter, yet instantly it felt familiar. Great write

Mark
PhenollBarbidoll
June 22, 2006
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i really love the picture that goes with this poem...its almost seems like a High Art drawing of some sort

good poem
Veronica Cross
June 22, 2006
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Thanks so much for your comment and compliment on "Crooked Fingers", Joey. Yeah, it was fun writing about something unusual for a change I have the feeling that crooked fingers are in my fate, if I'm fortunate enough to be around that long. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this piece. Again, thanks

~ Becky ~ aka Veronica Cross
liljoeneo
June 22, 2006
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this is how we do it, live it as we can. well anyways i liked it the feel i instantly thought of my great great grandma, shdied a few years back she use to knit with croked old wrinkly wrinkly fingers she was awesome anyways great write and good luck . take care , joey