All profits from purchasing this work will be donated to the Wildlife victims of the Victorian bush fires.

Looking at this pile of wood, I saw two pieces that reminded me of two people gently touching each other’s hands. Touch is an important part of our lives, especially living in a fast paced society that too often values money, power and control over the simple act of touch and intimate contact. Animals primarily relate to each other through physical play that satisfies the basic need we all have to be touched, especially by a loved one. Since, we can’t talk to our dogs or cats, our feelings are communicated through touch giving us a sense of comfort and unconditional love. Molly demands her belly rub as if she is entitled to at least one a day. She sleeps in a position upside down next to my hands. When I wake up, my hand often is on her belly. Like parenting humans, some dogs need more touch than others and as parents we experience the different needs of each child. Hopefully we recognize their different needs without feeling guilty that you don’t relate to both children in the same way. The quality of what you give them, especially love and security is what is important. Human touch is essential to a thriving baby. After World War II, orphaned babies were placed in large warehouses where their basic needs were met. They were fed and bathed, but never touched or picked up to receive nurturing and “the human touch” while the wolrd just slipped away. The term anaclitic depression refers to the deep sorrow of infants that never felt the loving hands of their parents or caregiver. I remember when I was teaching in the Masters Program in college, I showed a film of these “warehouse” babies. It was a shocking sight and although they were maintained, many of thousands of infants died without physical touch. Sadly, it is not WWII, but more senseless wars leave children homeless and starving after their parents have died of Aids, starvation and numerous other fatal diseases. I recommended seeing Daniel Irwin’s photographs on rb that reflect this global crisis. Please view this in the large format.

You and me we were the pretenders
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Ain’t no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain’t no bread from heavenly skies
Ain’t nobody drawin’ wine from this blood
We let it all slip away
In the end what don’t surrender
Well the world just strips away

Girl ain’t no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain’t gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blessings my darlin’
But I got a deal for you right here

I ain’t lookin’ for prayers or pity
I ain’t comin’ ‘round searchin’ for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
It’s just you and me tonight

Tell me in a world without pity
Do you think what I’m askin’s too much ?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Oh girl that feeling of safety you prize
Well it comes with a hard hard price
You can’t shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin’ the love that remains
We’re all riders on this train

So you been broken and you been hurt
Show me somebody who ain’t
Yeah I know I ain’t nobody’s bargain
But hell a little touchup
And a litte paint…

You might need somethin’ to hold on to
When all the answers they don’t amount to much
Somebody that you can just talk to
And a little of that human touch

Baby in a world without pity
Do you think what I’m askin’s too much ?
I just want to feel you in my arms
And share a little of that human touch.

Music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen