Kitchen Chair
A poem about the chair that becomes everything except a chair.
WHY IS THIS IN THE FILE?
Nobody took responsibility quickly enough.
the kitchen chair
has not been sat in
for three months
it is holding
two coats
a canvas bag
mail I am afraid
has instructions
one clean towel
and the jeans
I may still wear
the chair accepts
all assignments
without complaint
sometimes at night
I move everything
to the table
sit down
drink water
and remember
the chair was designed
for a body
not a backlog
in the morning
I put the coats back
the chair resumes
its position
as deputy director
of things
I have not dealt with
Pearl Voss
Poet of domestic failures, wrong turns, cheap coffee, and the small humiliations that deserve their own weather system.
STATUS: UNRULY
“Normal” was considered and rejected.
KNOWN ASSOCIATES: readers, loiterers, people who should know better.
PUSH THE WEIRD BUTTON
A clerk has been notified. They are furious.