Elsa's Gentle Hands

Elsa's Gentle Hands
Written on Oct 21 2005



Blisters haunt me
feet scathing against black
upon a summer's day of June
with my brother on my back

Shoeless we wandered
trying to find our way home
after escaping the horror
of our father, leaving us alone

He took our shoes away
so we wouldn't dare to leave
and the shirts from our backs
as he sat smoking his weed

We ran, as he slept
too young to be on our own
but we knew mom would find us
if we could get to a phone

So upon my back I carried him
toe headed, only three
as I cried upon the asphalt
while it scorched tender feet

A wrinkled hand touched my mine
and lead us out of the sun
to a porch with a swing
promising to phone our mom

With tears in her eyes, she came
and took us both safely home
but I'll never forget the old lady
that wouldn't leave us alone

Her name was Elsa, she said
and I'm sure God's taken her away
but I'll always remember her
thankful to her for that day

We were gone for so long
beaten, tattered and hungry
scared for our lives and worried
that we'd never find our mommy

But Elsa, dear Elsa
bustled out into the street
wiped my tears and saved us
changing our lives, making it sweet

So to Elsa I say,
wherever you may be
thank you for giving happiness
back to my brother and me

You were our angel, our savior
gentle hands, giving care
and I'll always remember you
answering our prayer