My Father’s Hands Analysis

“My Father’s Hands” is a poem written by Calvin Forbes that delves into the complex relationship between a father and his son. The poem captures the essence of the father-son bond and explores the themes of love, admiration, and the passing of time. Through a close analysis of the poem, this essay aims to explore the emotional depth and the underlying message conveyed by the poet.

The poem opens with the lines, “My father’s hands / were always a little dirty.” This simple yet powerful statement immediately sets the tone for the poem. The use of the possessive pronoun “my” suggests a personal connection, indicating that the speaker is reflecting on his own father. The image of the hands being “always a little dirty” evokes a sense of hard work and dedication. It conveys the idea that the father is a man of labor, someone who is not afraid to get his hands dirty in order to provide for his family. This sets the stage for the portrayal of the father as a hardworking and resilient figure.

As the poem progresses, the speaker goes on to describe his father’s hands in vivid detail. He describes them as “brown as a saddle,” which not only paints a clear picture of the father’s hands but also alludes to the idea of strength and endurance. The comparison to a saddle suggests a life of toil and labor, as well as a sense of reliability and stability. The hands are further described as “rough as two stones,” emphasizing their ruggedness and the toll that hard work has taken on them. This imagery serves to highlight the physicality of the father’s labor and the toll it has taken on his hands over time.

However, the poem also portrays the father’s hands in a tender light. The speaker describes how his father’s hands “strove to speak” as they “caressed my hair” and “touched my face.” This juxtaposition of roughness and tenderness adds depth to the portrayal of the father. It shows that despite the hardships and the wear and tear on his hands, the father still possesses a gentleness and affection that he shares with his son. The act of caressing the son’s hair and touching his face conveys a sense of intimacy and love, highlighting the emotional connection between the father and the son.

One of the most poignant lines in the poem is “I loved them, / I loved my father’s hands.” This simple declaration encapsulates the central theme of the poem – the son’s deep admiration and affection for his father. The use of repetition in this line emphasizes the depth of the speaker’s feelings, underscoring the importance of the father’s hands in shaping his understanding of love and admiration. The phrase “I loved my father’s hands” serves as a testament to the impact that the father has had on the son’s life and the profound influence of their relationship.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the passing of time. The speaker recalls how his father’s hands “never changed,” suggesting a timeless quality to them. However, the poem also conveys a sense of impermanence and transience, as the speaker reflects on how “they lay still in the coffin.” This shift from the active, hardworking hands to the stillness of death serves as a powerful reminder of the inevitable passage of time and the fragility of life. It also highlights the profound sense of loss and longing that comes with the passing of a loved one.

In conclusion, “My Father’s Hands” is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the essence of the father-son relationship. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem explores the themes of love, admiration, and the passing of time. The portrayal of the father’s hands as symbols of hard work, tenderness, and the passage of time serves as a powerful reflection on the complexities of the father-son bond. Overall, the poem is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring influence of a father’s love and the lasting impact of his hands on the speaker’s life.