The Hands - The Chicago Poetry Center

The Hands

This week, we read an incredible poem by Gina Valdes, called The Hands. We talked about the concept of symbolism in poetry and what hands symbolize in Valdes’s poem. Our discussion about this poem was absolutely amazing. Student’s observations, interpretations and questions were so thoughtful and profound. They talked about community, culture, magic, and the state of the world. We talked a bit about how they were able to decipher the mysteries of poetry so easily now that they have so much experience as writers as well as readers.Students then got to work on their own pieces about all the things their hands can do, and what they represent. Enjoy this week’s pieces!

Ms. Murray 6th Grade

Hands Alan Meraz

My hands, your hands, others hands.
Can fix, float and dive.
When I move my hands
they’re like waves, passing through
the ocean. My hands show how
to move with the flow.

Untitled Audrey

My hands can find the
way back to where
I always want to
be, home. Asleep.
My hands can play
the music better.
My hands can
lock in for a hug
I give to my dearest friend.

My Hands Juan

With my hands I can create
any contraption or masterpiece
no matter the material used.
When my hands move, everything
moves.
My hands know what to touch and
what not to touch.
When I look at my hands I
remember how small they were.
When my hands speak they say
“What?”
With one touch my hands can be
electrified with a type of sense
My hands can do lots of things,
My hands cannot do lots
of things.