Northern Minnesota
small town
the woman in the shop
knowledgeable
in such things
simply said
"Diamond willow”
my look of puzzlement
had her pointing at
my walking stick

"It’s lovely” she said
“diamond willow
ages nicely like that”
gesturing at
he splayed top of
the stick, where
as a branch
it had separated
from its limb
its patina of 
time, hand sweat
had smoothed
it's sweet spot

This stick and I
have been walking
hiking together
for thirty-five years
found it as 
simple fallen branch
on a camping trip
with my girlfriend
now wife
I sanded off a few
rough spots
later drilled a hole
adding leather 
wrist strap
aside from that…
"It’s nice you didn’t
varnish it”
the woman said with
congratulatory flare
“varnish doesn’t last,
dries up,
changes the wood”
I thanked her for the
compliments
and the affirmation
 
Completing my purchase
I looked at my stick
then back at her
“Diamond willow
you said?”
She confirmed with
nodding smile
"Yes. Very good wood 
for a walking stick"

I thanked her again
wished her a
good day as my 
walking stick and I
headed for the door
off on yet
another adventure
only this time
we are now on a
first-name basis


- Mark Lucker
(C) 2026