The Cooper

He made the wooden barrels with great care, Proud of each keg and barrel that he made. A craftsman, he, who thought it only fair To give his best while working at his trade.

With loving hands he fashioned every stave, And fitted all the hoops with superb skill. To me, it seemed his shop made him a slave, But no slave ever worked with such a will.

When we were boys, he used to call us in To give us staves he had made into skis. Later, I learned they came from his best bin. How fine a trade, whose first thought is to please!