Pick-Up Sticks

The Widow Wyile plays pick-up
sticks that are not slight
nor slender as the Mikado set
that passed some concentrating times
at table with her Grandmama
In her arms alone she rarely
manages five nor six
for these sticks of firewood are hefty
overnighters and their smaller split
kin that warm her now
as she stacks them tight
under the roof of the woodshed
so they’ll be dry and warm her
again every wintery morn
and night
seven or eight
laid straight and crosswise

kindling too will be needed

However different the look
of each tossed pile
the art of selection
the need for focus
careful handling
to prevent upset
or rumbling topple
is similarly satisfying
and though the game
of pick-up woodpile sticks
is between her
the pile or stack
the houses
and the stove
the win is always
hearth warmth