Hand
I would not stretch my hand
To solicit help.
But I prefer to give
A helping hand to a deserving
If and when possible.
I shall not use my hand
To count ill-gotten money,
But to dole out
Something, meagre it may be,
To alleviate marginally, albeit,
The suffering of another.
I would use my hand
To shake the hand
Of another gently,
But not to grip it violently.
I am not inclined to use my hand
To inflict physical pain
Or hurt to another.
Neither would I use it
For gestures of threat
But for those of peace
And compassion.
I would use my hand
Only for self defence,
But not for un-provocative attack.
I would raise my hand
In protest against injustice,
Notwithstanding the blood
It would be smeared with,
Rather than hiding it
For fear of hurt.
I would strive
To keep my hand clean
Free from contamination,
All because I write poetry
With that hand.
H. Kamal Premadasa
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