STAVES

The first staff was prentice-work,

Set aside when he became a master.

The next, showed the good still in him;

It exploded when he asked too much,

Scudding him years ago and miles away.

The third was strong but coarse-grained

Able to level a house but unable

To clean a dish. Cats stole it away.

The fourth staff was subtle and careful

Able to take his place for months at a time

Until it grew tired of being him and left.

The last staff is the one he made

When he was an apprentice. He uses it

To go up and down stairs.