calluses

As he farmed, hard labor left his hands callused, the sun bleached his hair, his face leathered, and his heart throbbed with music.

At its core, the collection is built around a very wise line from a Beatles song: I want to hold your hand. I want to hold your hand with no further expectations. I want to hold your hand instead of telling you I understand when I don__. I want to hold your hand although we don__ always get along. I want to hold your hand despite the calluses, scratches, and scars that get in the way. I want to hold your hand knowing I__l have to let it go one day.