out in the shop
Patty has not yet left George
for Eric
though perhaps she is thinking about it
Casey and I are forever 17
and a daughter's knee
still heals

every Xmas
we gave the children pencils
they never sharpened;
trolls, easter bunnies, endangered species, sparkly feathers
decorated pencil tops
enticing, yet neglected

32 pencils made their way
out to the shop
collected in a beer stein
while the Everclear
purchased to extend wood dyes
(a special license was needed!)
extended your day
adding and subtracting
memories