Cops know that hands can kill us
always, watch the hands
hands comfort, carry, bring safety
they hold, caress, and lift us
hands give life
hands take life
make love, war
the touch of a hand can heal
it can bring immeasurable pain
hands make beautiful music
and art that brings tears
hands pull the trigger, wield the sword
throw the switch, light the fire
they give direction
and steer our course
hands serve the masters
of mind and heart
they are the instruments
of our values and desires
soft they are compassion
hard they are power
they can protect or destroy
and cops live by them
and die by them
hands defend cops from harm
send a bullet through a barrel
a baton toward its target
a pen or key onto paper or laptop
and our partners, friends
families and communities are the hands
that hold us.
Lucia Wroblewski is proud of her nearly twenty-four years of service as a Saint Paul street cop. She has worked every district, but most memorable of all were her seventeen years on her beloved East Side. She currently works in the West District. Lucia lives in the greater Saint Paul area with her soul mate Jen Moore, their two black labs Xena and Scout, and cat Willy.