I got a wood burning kit for Christmas
        one year, long ago
        meant for searing names,
        designs and numbers
This plug-in, electric art/craft wonder
        occupied childhood time
        now spent with computers
        and video games
S.S. Kresge Five and Dime
        sold trinkets and
        affordable diversions
        like birdhouse kits and bookends
And small plastic soldiers and dinosaurs
        which, in early adolescence,
        offered up their heads
        to my wood burning kit
I kept Glenn’s bookends
        the set he made for ma
        with his kit many years before
        they were pretty special
        to ma and me