Solitude From The Garage

I grew up with a garage in the back.
Learning skills that I could pass on.
I thought it was normal for every kid.
Never thought one day it would be gone.

Couldn’t have imagined the impact,
it had on our very young minds.
Starting out with bits and pieces.
Constructing projects of all kinds.

Fast forward a half century later.
Sweeping up the floor in my garage.
I stepped outside and looked back in.
If I didn't know better,  it's a mirage.

I always wanted one of my own.
Sometimes life gets in the way.
Many years between then and now.
I knew it would happen one day.

Planned for years how to fix it up.
I knew the equipment I needed to get.
I knew what tools I needed to have.
Saved for years so I would have no debt.

I needed a torch to cut the metal.
A drill press to bore holes for bolts.
A grinder for shaping and smoothing.
A welder that required 220 volts.

A workbench to guide the builds.
Wrenches and ratchets of every size.
Drill bits that must be kept sharp.
A fresh supply of taps and dies.

Looking back into my own garage now.
Fifty years of work, I’ve done my bid.
Everything needed for dreams to come true.
All learned in our garage when just a kid.

R. S. Morris