Working with Your Hands

nothing is

square or level

the first time

you think you're done

                  *

sand after you

glue the wood or

forever regret what

you later stain

                  *

a vice grip is another

pair of hands inept

at grasping these

old clay pots

                  *

scan the manual

to learn how to remove

the errant drill bit

from your index finger

                  *

smashed thumbnail purple

is the color in the box

of crayons named for

a hammer whack

                  *

the fascia on the fence

is seven inches wide but

given what you've got left

five inches seems enough

                  *

even the most skilled

carpenters and sons

of carpenters cannot control

what you do with wood

                  *

do not be cross the job

is done but not quite right

take out the shop vac or

just turn off the light