in the shop with hardware and bits of wood
can make almost any man feel useful, good

a screwdriver, a drill, some papered sand
away from day-to-day, simply out of demand

just tinkering around with piddling things
the easy satisfaction messin' 'round brings

no major renovation, or building earthworks
just little improvements, near anonymous perks

unsqueaking a hinge, maybe unstick a drawer
fittingly better is what tinkering's for

whether it's the thing of attention being repaired
or the man doing the labor, it's hard to declare

so too, it can be with words on page or a screen
to ensure understanding, say exactly what you mean

a glued letter, word oiled, or nailing a phrase
brings the writer satisfaction of all he surveys

so I continue to tinker a little bit more
on a few couplet lines, with no guarantor

that I'll illicit from you, oh diligent reader
understanding or joy, from this rambling meter

but that is a small sideline to most our tinkers
it's time tinkering matters to meandering thinkers

© agoodguy2have 2011-05-23