I am making toys the way
he used to by hand. Dad was always
handy that way but in retirement
handier still making toys. a cradle
high chair a little desk for grandkids
our kids and others and when he died
there were leftover pieces of barns
old timey cars a side-rail truck
and trains. The man could make
a train! Big and small from different
woods with track for little hands
to push them round and round.
Here I sit at this workbench
our first grandchild on the way
and I am wearing his shop apron
a skin that’s too loose a fit
sitting on his shop stool surrounded
by parts of toys he cut out and piles
of sawdust he began over 30 years ago.
Now I measure mark and cut then
glue leaving remnants of myself.
