Kooser reflects upon a physical trait passed onto him throughout the length of his life. Ted uses language and several rhetorical strategies to convey the impact of his father’s hands and the value it has upon his own life. Kooser uses details and very descriptive diction in order to the physical trait of his father. Kooser shows that the father like everyone else didn’t have perfect hands, they were not “plump or soft, or damp, or cool.” He describes the fingertips not being of perfect length, “not buffed or polished.” He did although mention that his fathers wrinkled hands represented the “respectful accommodation of (Ted) and (his) life and marriage.” The father had much respect for his family, as well as Kooser did for his father; this