It started with 16ths

No matter how thick
his glasses got
he couldn't see
the marks on the tape

He found ways
to compensate--
you could do a lot
with touch, transferring
measurements
by holding the place

Carpenters feel their age
       before they get old

The body every night
       is ready for the grave

The only mercy is
       it hurts all over

and that makes it hard
       to focus on the pain