Stickshed

Coal, coke and sticks were needed, and boys would be designated alley and stickshed boys. Kindling wood logs were provided and those had to be chopped into sticks.

My parents sent the foreman, Bill Taylor, down to Newburgh with a load of sticks for the Duncans’ fire. When he arrived the old man told Bill just to coup them in the street and he would take them round to the stickshed at the foot of the garden at the back.

I have been attuned to cracks // the slit in the bark of the old chestnut tree / where the wee folk lived // the split in the stickshed door / where I watched the world beyond // […]