Keepsakes From My Father

My father's workshop 

was not much wider 

than our Pontiac station wagon

but it was plenty of room for him,
always the shortest

in his airforce snaps

A crib and doll cradle

were birthed in the shadows

where sawdust and smoke

from his menthols swirled

then came a dollhouse and playhouse,

later a desk, all for the oldest girl

then a clock and coffee table

of lacquered burl 

but that didn't keep him away 

from the liquor store

In his 40's, he learned new tricks

at night school, with plastic his clay,

he made groovy melted vases and bowls 

and a purple fishing line lamp,

not as cool as the old wooden one

a spiral staircase to the sun

They sold the house 

and boxed up family memories

of digging out the billiard room

and painting 3 additional bedrooms

one blue, one green and the red one

which later became his office

where he watched The Flintstones

and drank spiked cactus cooler

My dad reconstructed himself,

baking muffins for the seniors' group;

he stood tall next to his trophies

for snooker and curling,

his 7 grandchildren;

he was 6 feet under 

before they reached 5 feet

---

October 22, 2017