The Chair

                                               The Chair

found homeless and wasting

riddled with the bugs

bugs of time and want and damp green

moss

found bundled in crumbling outer skins

water drifted with

 

heart red    -   and real   -   and

cedar scent         -         

belligerent 

kicking like asses 

in refusal.

brittle arms gone    -   or broken      -

push gnarly, knotted lumping pain 

long ago ... 

a stump ... of stubborn clinging

it

lays on it's side defiant to all the winds ............

winds of north and winds of south relentlessly 

pursuing the smoothing ... glossing picture of wild abandon

i took them in

i took them all and put them

put them big and small into my own fitting designs

hacking and sawing with gnats and hog wallows grabbing attentions

pulling, hauling, trudging up to the reckoning 

i began

with wire brush then

 on a spindle whirling and whirling dust of 

maybe a hundred years ... who can tell ... i was busy ... i didn't care

it was the heart and intent of that tree i wanted

searched for   -    and 

found ..................... it

formed ........................it 

bathed ..................... it 

fit it,  

glued it and screwed it .....

formed now 

to each other

E

10/30/2019

Author's Note

The picture is of my first attempt at building a chair. It is made from dead fall cedar that I harvested from out back and down the holler....an adventure all in itself ;)

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

E., perhaps because I'm a woodworker, I found a special meaning in this work (image and poem). You've crafted here what is not only love of nature, especially fallen trees, but the love in taking something broken, abandoned, left for dead, and making it a centerpiece in our world. I think we have God-gifted humans who do the same with others. I think of the social service workers, mental health professionals and others who see value and redeeming qualities even in the most broken and beaten. An extraordinary, handcrafted masterpiece.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes yes yes ... spot on insights my caring friend!! several others here are also woodworkers .. what a treat to know that about each other eh!? thank you so much for seeing a bit beyond the physical in this poem ... and applying its social implications ... the broken sprang to mind as i wrote .. top o' the mahrnin' to ya brother!!
E.

[barleygirl]

This is sixteen hollers beyond brillance, my friend! Wowza I'm in heaven after reading this. This is just plain awesomeness & I'm sorry for mere blathering in the face of such writing . . . but it's not the writing that makes this so great . . . it's the thinking & the feeling behind it. You are holding a mirror up to a very beautiful creation: YOURSELF! I love your chair & that you even do artful stuff like this. But it's YOU that I am blathering about . . . the way you see your world & the way you express it. Just one of many: "belligerent kicking like asses in refusal." Sipping this is so good, one needs a second cup . . . and a third (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

what a dear friend you are Marge .. i am breathless for your words and reaction to this poem ... you are more than kind and i am deeply touched and ...... affirmed ... yes! affirmed in my being ... thank you dahlink ... always for taking time and for your friendship ... right here at the Cafe'

[Einstein Noodle]

ps. you might like the poem i linked in my "review" ... its a creation i am particularly fond of .. and it has my beautiful Bella involved .. God rest her sweet spirit

[barleygirl]

Terribly sorry to hear "god rest her sweet spirit"!!!! That is a tough blow, but I know you're carrying on her spirit of teaching people how to put sticks together in meaningful ways . . . (((HUGS)))

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Margie ... your a corker! :)

[Beccy]

As I read this, I straightaway saw more than the loving rebirth of a chair; then I read R E Ray's comments, and saw how he had perfectly captured my own thoughts. So, I can't really say much more, other than this is a lovely; and loving poem, that shows how important it is not to consider something imperfect as worthless, then to simply turn our backs.

Beccy.

[Einstein Noodle]

i couldn't ask for more in a review Beccy .. very happy i am that it spoke to you in such a way .. thanks so much for taking time ...
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

There is something very special about redoing a piece a furniture....one that has seen a lot of wear and tear. Others want to just discard it, but with your love and hardwork you give it a new life. Too many people in today's world just use and abuse things and people and then discard them. I liked this a lot. E, you rock. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my dearest friend ... i am not surprised you feel that way .. and of course i agree 100% .. i built a "farm table" for our small dinning area and we had two of my grandmother's wood chairs .. we painted them and went looking of two mismatched others to go with it .. one we found cost $9 .. it was in the back of an antique store buried under a bunch of other stuff .. it use to have a caned seat which was replaced by a piece of thick leather .. i filled the seat in with pine and had to fix a broken spindle .. once painted it sits proudly at our table ... you have made me day with your visit and review dahlink! thank you so much!

[Lydia Shutter]

What a great story....and now your grandmother's chairs have companions! Always a pleasure to visit your page.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ......................

[Ken Simm.]

This, quite simply is a love song. It contains everything a love song should contain and is a superb use of words.

[Einstein Noodle]

damn Ken ... coming from you i am triple blessed ... never would have thought it a song .. but it is isn't it .. i felt a wondrous connection during the whole process ... i am pretty encouraged by your review Ken .. so happy you enjoyed!
E.

[Pryde Foltz]

The debris and detritus of a fallen tree is given life once again in new found utility and then thrice in you beautifully crafted poem.

[Einstein Noodle]

aw ...thanks Pride .. you are kind and i am very happy you enjoyed ... peace on Earth sister!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is like adopting abandoned children...nursing them back to health...showing them they matter, making them feel wanted and useful again.
i love paintings of chairs the best...and now i have a poem about chairs to love...great piece of work here....not only putting together the poem, but reassembling the chairs as well.
i am sure they thank you every day...
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes they do jacob! thanks so much for visiting and letting me know your thoughts on it .. Norma and I looked for cushions for it on-line and the ones we found would cost over $300 just for the seat cushion!!!!! Norma made seat, back and 2 arm pillows for about half that .. we have the homeless and abandoned with us always ... and even our own children need to know such things as to their own value .. no matter the exterior qualities ... your heart thoughts give me pause to say a little prayer for them all this morning .. love on ya brother!
thanks so much for taking time
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Woodworking is such an admirable craft. To make something with your hands, or to bring life to something that's been thrown away, is indeed a work of art. How amazingly you've illustrated that here, not just by the photo of the refurbished chair, but by capturing the essence of it in your poem. Your signature should be your heart - for that is what it takes to make something ordinary - extraordinary! I'm so proud of you!

[Einstein Noodle]

oh Kelly! you have made me day once more .. and i love you a bit more today now ... honored you are proud Legs ... humbly honored to the bone :) thanks so much for reading and reviewing always but especially thanks for that kind of support and encouragement you give

[Kelly Scheppers]

...so, so sweet...love ya, darlin!

[Stephany]

The Chair is beautiful.
You captured the essence of a value that everything/everyone has. Not always seen, covered by neglect wearing the dress of weeds and dirt. It reminds me that with a little care, a second look, a soft touch a second chance of life is possible. I really enjoyed this.

[Einstein Noodle]

its very gratifying when another writer sees what one sees in a poem ... thanks you for your insightful and sensitive take on this one Stephany .. and for spending time ...right here at the Cafe'
E.

[kentuck14]

and a fine chair it is! Very Ozarkish!!!
T

[Einstein Noodle]

yes...rough hewn may be another way to say it :))))))))))) its the natural worn beauty that saves it ;} thanks for stopping by kentuck!
E.

[Eilis]

In her book, “Mind of the Maker“, Dorothy L Sayers connects the human mind to the mind of God through the act of (creativity) creation. I’m simplifying her idea, but essentially she believes that is our ultimate connection, our way of understanding.

Your poem and its origin made me think of that this morning. I think it’s extraordinary what we can do when our imaginations are engaged. A tree that could have remained bug fodder for years becomes an heirloom by the work of your hands.

It’s beautiful work, by the way. Clearly not your initiation into woodworking! All of the first things I have attempted have been crooked and mostly useless, but I keep trying. There’s a perfect chair in my imagination that I will realize someday, ha.

I like where this poem’s idea takes me. With vision and determination we can shape something wonderful out of something found. It’s an excellent way of approaching the world.

Really enjoyed this, E.

[Einstein Noodle]

keep on tryin' says i, Ellis .. you certainly have the idea that will carry it through .. the connection ;) funny thing is that it doesn't require acquired skills, thought i did carpentry for 15 yrs as a career, it isn't necessary ... you might check out my other poem connected with me wonderdog Bella and some sticks we found .. i mention it in my own review above but this is the link if you would like to check it ... some patience and dash of skills needed ... but mostly imagination ;) the book you mention sounds like a must read for me ... me thinks thee and me are simpatico my friend! thank you for your words and reading
E.

[Eilis]

I’ve a bit of a clumsy streak that carries through to everything, but I am determined, ha ha. I’ll keep working at it, definitely. And I’ll check out your other poem too.

You’re welcome, as always, E.