after Henri Nouwen’s study
of Rembrandt’s painting
of Christ’s parable

I look at the hands
embracing            clutching               caressing
                the hands I can only see
because Rembrandt saw them for me
 the hands as seen
in the light            Nouwen shone on them
his power of suggestion  & insight
making me wonder how I’d view
them on my own

The younger son in me
absorbs their reassuring firmness
the elder                only considers my place
& the father I am                though a faint
imitation               is dancing