A handshake is an opportunity to say Howdy

Inspiration for poems and prose can surprise you in most unusual ways. Sometimes popping up from a long past situation. 

I think the whys, whens, and wherefores are lurking just under the radar waiting for an unknown trigger to activate them into your awareness. In this instance, the subject of a handshake came from multiple sources. 

Yesteryear gave us an era where a handshake was more than an opportunity to say “Howdy!” Often the handshake was a bond that sealed a mutual understanding between two parties such as a treaty,  a business agreement, a boundary, a relationship, or maybe just a symbol of friendship. A gesture that over the years has been abused to the point that a handshake in todays world means nothing more than a casual greeting. 

Renowned western artist, Marless Fellows, published a book that contained her artwork accompanied by a cowboy poem that embellished the essence of her art. 

She involved several poets and I was fortunate to be able to have six of my poems included in her book. She titled this work, A Handshake is Enough, because the handshake embodied the cowboy way. It’s just how it is done in the west. 

Inspiration? That was enough to encourage creativity. What does a handshake really mean? As a baby, you reach out to clutch a parents finger, and you have now begun your journey using that American icon, the handshake. Then as a child, you reach up to take a parents hand searching for guidance and security. And that goes to the next level where as a school boy you shake hands with a friend, or spit in your palm to make a solemn vow. 

Then, she is there and you walk hand in hand with the prettiest girl in your class. The athletic arena finds you shaking your opponents hand in a gesture of good sportsmanship or walking across the stage of graduation to shake the hand of a mentor. 

The real world finds you on the job shaking your bosses hand while meeting with an associate to shake hands sealing a deal. As a new Christian, you take the preacher’s hand to signify your commitment to your God. 

Now you have reached the point in life where Cupid’s arrow has pierced your heart and you clasp the soft hand of your darlin’ who will be the mother of your child that will reach up to hold your finger and eventually require you to hold their hand because you are their idol. And the world comes by to shake your hand as they congratulate you for outstanding accomplishments. In turn, you reach out to someone in need to offer a helping hand, until at the end of life, there is the ultimate handshake as you reach out to grasp the Hand of God!

HANDSHAKE

The handshake helps us as thru this life we navigate,

With phases hard to understand,

We offer a helping hand or congratulate,

Knowing we ride for the brand.

The comfort and joy in a parent’s heart,

As their hand, a baby will clutch,

And of life’s journey that is but a start,

We reach for the Master’s touch.

Then a schoolboy with a friend’s handshake,

Lasting friendships made by a child,

With memories of a lifetime at stake,

Adventures rugged an’ wild.

Tempered with the first feelin’s for lass an’ lad,

As sweet young love fills the air,

An’ romance makes their hearts feel glad,

In a school yard way back there.

On the athletic field, opponent’s quick handshake

In the spirit of sportsmanship,

Or the graduate with a mentor’s hand to take,

As he embarks upon life’s trip.

A trip that takes one down the curvy road of life,

Shakes a boss’s hand at work,

Or a business deal enjoined by man and wife,

To a task they must not shirk.

When a new Christian takes the hand of the pastor, 

A commitment made to God,

Dedicating a new life to our Master,

As thru this life we trod.

Then Ol’ Cupid seemed to come upon the scene,

With heart shaped arrow notched anew,

Its path toward your heart brought feelin’s so serene,

Its essence filled your heart so true.

Reach out true love for the fairest in the land,

Allow your hearts to entertwine.

With reverence you softly grasp your lover’s hand,

An’ begin a life devine.

The circle remains unbroken year after year,

With handshake we show our love,

While memories flood our soul, we blink a tear,

And send thanks to God above!

And thus, this unending circle of life repeats,

From young to old and young again,

Until the prophecy of Earth’s cycle completes,

And we’ve heard that last amen.

Then life’s journey brings us to end o’ day,

After a journey so grand,

From start to finish, God would guide our way,

Through it all, we hold our Savior’s hand.

Who knows, but by God’s Grace, our final bell will toll,

As on life’s trailways we trod,

We look back on days that stir our soul,

An’ with love, grasp the hand of God!

© Ol’ Jim Cathey

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