The single woman’s toolbox
It began with a claw hammer, for
removing lingering doubt and
to bludgeon home the point that
Yes, I know my own mind and No
is my final answer. I don’t need to
ask a friend. The pliers came soon
after, along with the cold chisel,
mallet, and a full set of screw
drivers: Phillips, slotted, Robertson
and star. It’s not necessary to make
obvious jokes about spanners and
tools, but yes, I’ve been acquainted
with several. I’ve made full use of
the tape measure, too many men fall
short. My spirit level (shock proof)
restores equilibrium as does my
hacksaw for those harder to remove
temporary fixtures. I keep a spare.
I’ve learned how to nail it and, screw
it, have no need for jump wires: my
heart runs perfectly all on its own.
Nick Browne is an established novelist and aspiring poet. Nick’s poetry has been accepted for publication by Acumen, Ink Sweat & Tears, Blue Nib, Snakeskin, Archaeology Today, Anthropecene, Wivanhoe, Lunar Magazine and Dreich and been anthologised in Bollocks to Brexit, Lumen’s Shelter anthology, Eyewear’s, The Poet’s Quest for God and Indigo Dream’s collection Dear Dylan. Nick’s poems are currently on display in Manning Regional Gallery NSW as part of fine artist Laura Matthews’ exhibition Flux.