The Human Hand - Poem by Anne Kenyon

[danmcq]

THE HUMAN HAND. By Anne.M.Kenyon

I didn’t ask to be your pet,

You said you wanted me.

I was taken away from the world I knew,

Though not unwillingly.

 

I’d learned to trust the human hand,

With its soft and gentle touch,

So patiently I waited for

The caress I loved so much.

 

I meant no harm that day I screeched,

I just wanted you to see

That someone lived behind those bars,

I thought you had forgotten me.

 

Then the human hand I loved so much

Came through my tiny door;

But it offered me no gentleness

As it knocked me to the floor.

 

A feeling welled inside of me,

Like I had never known.

I felt frightened, hurt, confused and lost

Within the bars of my new home.

 

But patiently I waited

For that hand to treat me right,

But it rarely came to bring me food,

And there were no toys in sight.

 

In boredom and in loneliness,

In hunger and despair

I slowly ripped my feathers out,

But no-one helped, you didn’t care.

So I learned to hate the human hand

As it slammed down on my cage,

 

It held a brand new meaning now,

Fear, pain, and rage.

 

And then one day a stranger came,

And to my great surprise,

Gentle words came from her mouth,

And tears welled in her eyes.

 

But then the terror filled my heart,

For that human who had cried,

Opened up my tiny door,

And put those human hands inside.

 

I screamed in panic, fear and dread,

As I waited for the pain

That the human hand would give me

As it slammed me once again.

 

But gently I was lifted

From my prison, cold and bare;

But still I bit at those human hands

In my terror and despair.

 

The new prison I was taken to

Was somewhat different to my home.

Fresh food was all around me,

And toy friends to call my own.

And the human hands that touched me

Brought on me no more pain,

 

And slowly as the weeks went by,

My ravaged feathers grew again.

And as the weeks passed into months,

I began to understand,

That once again I could begin

To trust the human hand.

 

I’m old now, really very old;

But my memories are clear,

Of the gentle hand that soothed the pain

From the hand I’d learned to fear.

 

I’m tired now, really very tired,

Many years my life has spanned,

So I close my eyes for one last time,

Safe and warm in the human hand.

 

Anne.M.Kenyon

[Luvparrots]

Oh how very lovely!!! Thanks for finding and sharing this with us Dan!!!

[pearllyn]

Man! Crying like a baby! Thanks for sharing.

[judygram]

That was so profound Dan, I find myself crying when reading this poem, it really touches the heartstrings, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Elvenking]

I loved it. Okay....I also cried. Okay...okay...ALRIGHT....maybe it gouged my heart out and held it before me beating. I wish more people knew that this is really the way it is.

Edited September 3, 2010 by Elvenking

[danmcq]

Anne Kenyon is a very powerful writer of truth in poem. I am glad you all have found that as well.

[Guest jamalbirdbiz]

very touching. thankz for sharing dan. we need more poets like her. please search for more poems to share.

[KimKim]

I have heard a few bad stories of people coming into the parrot store where I now work, I wish I could rescue all of the birds from the un educated owners.. the best we can do is give advise and hope they will take it.

[TeresaAnn]

Awwwwwwww! *snif* Snif*....that was so saddddd... and lovely also. Very great poem..*snif* Snif* ... a good tear jerker!!!!

[Guest]

Is anyone on here fluent in Spanish? If so, might you translate this into Spanish? There's a door I'd like to leave this on, but they only speak Spanish in that household.

 

Thanks much.

[katana600]

When I read this poem originally, I had no idea at the time that life with my grey would change and I would lose him too. Then along came Gilbert. I have learned so much more since then and this time reading it was more emotional. It is especially touching since it has been mere days since he has learned to relax (sometimes) and permit a moment of soothing touch.

[DawL]

This poem gave me chills, and made tears well up in my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[MarcusCAG]

I think my heart got ripped out at some point while I was reading that.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

It made me tear up. I feel I keep many " hands off"... because I don't want to get close to others. Not sure why. I am just very close to my birds and dogs. I worry about " sharing" our relationship. Is that normal? Nancy

[DawL]

I think it is perfectly normal to fear that your fid will create a bond with someone else, and forget about you. We can't let this keep us from allowing our fids to have healthy relationships, and friendshipd with other loved ones as well though....if that was what you were refering to.

[danmcq]

Thought I would push this up since we have many new members that may wish to read it.

[katana600]

You have a great instinct Dan. The first time I read this poem, I had lost Juno but was caring for Kopi. At that time, I could not begin to imagine anything but care, gentleness and response from our two boys. By the time I read it the second time, we had Gilbert and he was still a "he" and I was sure we would be best friends in no time. Now, I have been with Miss Gilbert for three years and have lived and breathed life with a parrot who has feared hands and this time, I really really get it.

[danmcq]

Indeed, this Poem could have been written specifically for You and Miss Gilbert.

[Muse]

You have a great instinct Dan. The first time I read this poem, I had lost Juno but was caring for Kopi. At that time, I could not begin to imagine anything but care, gentleness and response from our two boys. By the time I read it the second time, we had Gilbert and he was still a "he" and I was sure we would be best friends in no time. Now, I have been with Miss Gilbert for three years and have lived and breathed life with a parrot who has feared hands and this time, I really really get it.

 

The Greybies were our first birds but next came Aunalese and Conner, the green-cheeked conures. Auna was then and still is terrified of hands. After three years of love, patience and positive reinforcement she is no closer to stepping up on my hand and probably won't ever be. It doesn't matter. Whatever fears haunt her, whatever trauma she went through, it is long past. I will give her love, and a safe place to call home as long as I am alive and able.

 

Then comes Jack. I still feel a stab of guilt every time I look at him for my unfounded fear of his lunging. I was just certain he was trying to bite me. When in truth, he was just trying to feel his way in the darkness of his mostly blind sight. He now spends much of his time riding on my shoulder, pooping down my back. And I don't care. He can poop all over me. I just love this little bird. It's hard to believe he is so incredibly sweet and so trusting after the pain and abuse he has suffered. His favorite phrase is "Gimme kiss" followed by the most gentle nudge to my cheek. Here is a moment of his sweetness:

[katana600]

Aw, isn't that tea sharing with Jack adorable. You came to understand each other with time, courage and patience. I've had a few surprise bites from Miss Gilbert that haven't stopped me from the occasions she tolerates me near, always when she is behind the safety of her bars. It's wrenching to see her tremble and run from me. Slowly, moment by moment, day by day we get a glimpse that fear is subsiding. When she permitted David a touch on her face and beak to remove a strand of cobweb, my hopes are ignited by the reluctant offer of trust. It will come and it will be in grey time.

[Muse]

I pray you will get your 'break-through' moment. It will come with Miss Gilbert. I believe that. Your love and patience will win and who knows what will happen once she gets that 'aha, they aren't going to hurt me! I can TRUST them!' moment? She may become the biggest cuddler ever.

[kittykittykitty]

I don't know how I missed this! As I read it I was sure it had been written for Dee and Miss Gilli-girl, until the very end. I too, am very misty eyed. I think of all the birds and dogs and cats and primates and elephants and EVERY species. And I miss PRECIOUS!!!

[IzzyAngel]

My poor TOBY! WHAAAAA! Ok, I'm better now...

 

Oh this made my heart ache! When I first met Toby at his previous owners home, his sweet little eyes screamed help me! Lord give me the patience to help him heal, the courage to be the mommy he deserves, and the strength not to beat his previous owner into the mud. Amen

[katana600]

Pour your love and patience into Toby, be happy he now is in a loving home and make up for lost time and trust. Soon there will be no more memories of his life before you.