Hardware is magic
only wizards can work.
Molly bolts that fold and ... sproing.
Chain goes clank. Pulleys go squeak.
Eye bolts, can they see?
Faucet handles like fingers of porcelain.
Tiny springs from ballpoint pens.
Big springs from who-knows-what.
Ornate doorknobs to open a mystery.
Spark plugs. Radiator caps. Just add car.
U-bolts, aren't they cool?
Wing nuts, perhaps they'll fly.
Cleats for string. Cotter pins ... for what?
Accumulated these fifty years
in coffee cans, cigar boxes, in jelly jars
for some purpose I knew would come.
Now my grandson, here.
I can see in your eyes you are ready.
For you, cheerful wizard.
Make magic.


© by Joe Cottonwood.
Used here with the author's permission.