Shed Out Back. Havenly.

Bob would make
His retreat from Factory
Pick up chicken salad on rye
Red grapes. Bananas.
Havarti cheese.
Look for mail in slot
Change to sweat suit
Head out back
For hours of hobby
In wood chipping
(Started it one summer
Rented cottage. Parry Sound.
Fishing, boating, camera work.)

A Bachelor, living with
Spunky Mom, elderly
Cub Scout matron in Town
Line dance mentor.
Widowed, after Husband in
Palliative care.
Retired City Bus Driver.

One girlfriend once.
But college hopes. Gone.

Bob came from dozens
Of jobs.
Heat treating
Curling Ice Boss
Ski Hill maintenance
Kitchener Chicopee.
Photographer.
Now at steel manufacture
Highway Structures. Hardware.
Shipper Receiver
With me.

Home this winter’s evening
Out back with heater
Country music.
Special knives
And select wood piece.
Night passed quickly
Contentedly
Alone…almost.


Bob Struke, Friend
For a while.
Irish and German.
Deceased too soon.


(Remembered also for
His hot peppers thing.
Grow, dry, grind, dessicate.
New brands often.
And to be shared.)