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.

[Norman 223]

I love this on several levels. Your ingenuity in creating this chair from "scratch" , the rustic practicality (it looks solid enough to last for years and the balance of colour and texture. As a former amateur woodcarver and woodturner ( albeit on a much smaller scale), I felt a nostalgia for working with natural wood, compared with modern synthetic "timber". Your poetic description of its metamorphosis added to its natural charm . THe whole created a perfect connection concept, in my opinion.
Dare I say it -- Relativity by Einstein :-)
Norman

[Einstein Noodle]

:)))))))))))))))))))) thanks so much Norm! I feel a woodworkers connection with you now ... something about handling wood ... we put our own oils into it eh!? Really appreciate your review and getting to know you a bit more ... right here at the Cafe'
E. =mc2 :)))))))))))))))))))))

[DAH]

Fabulous. I, too, like R.E. Ray, am a woodworker, so this piece has a special
place in my heart.

"fit it,
glued it and screwed it ....." –– love this!

Good job, E!

DAH

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha ... all wood workers know the glued and screwed eh!? ... such a pleasure to find how many there are hear at the Cafe' ... keep the splinters small and few DAH ... thanks for the read and review ... Happy Thanksgiving!
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Humans have a deep innate need to create.
I love the seed you plant within this piece.
To spy, to want, to seize then transform to create. Okay I'm ready lets make something.

I have two log chairs and a bed(that we swear we will never move again) it is so heavy but we will never part with it.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha ... never say never dearest Cherrie :) you know.... that's something i have to ponder ... so many people with such dark places that don't speak to creative ... i would hope we all have such capacity at least ... i recall reading in the Bible that everyone is born with a certain knowledge of God ... i do believe that ... not sure about being creative ... i thank you a lot for sharing that perspective ... yes! seize and transform .. damn! love that ... i have to chuckle about your log chairs and furniture .. there is simply no way around heavy and awkward to move ... Norma and I are pretty well cemented in our little dream cabin ... so my ton weight creations will sit .. so nice to have you taking time and sharing with me your thoughts on this one .. i loved every minute of the chair and writing about it .. Happy Thanksgiving :))))))))))))
E.

[Sara]

The world would be a better place if we treated everyone like you treated this chair.. seeing beyond the brokenness. Have a great Sunday, E! :)

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Sara! a treat to see your lovely face gracing me pages this morning ... Sunday was great .. spent with me doggie and napping ;) the broken, I think, are closest to God ... such opportunity for others to be part of the healing :))) love and peace on ya Sara .. thank you for taking time to read and review ...
E.

[Sara]

ahhh, I really miss my doggo reading this...I only get to see her once every 2 months or so :(
I hope you have a nice Tuesday :)

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhhhhhh :( i am trying not to pry ... but there is a story behind that i am sure ... sending up my little prayers for you right now ... just because ;)

[Sara]

Well, the story kinda goes like this. My doggo is at home with my parents while I'm in Uni studying at the capital. Ive been here for 5 years now, probably never gonna return living back home. I try to visit as much as I can but life often gets in the way. I do, however, want to take my dog with me, when Im done with everything. I really miss my Marley :(

[Einstein Noodle]

awwwwwww love on ya Sara ... i am sure you will accomplish that goal and many others ... Happy Thanksgiving if you do celebrate ... otherwise .. great and happy day to you! :)

[Mrudula Rani]

Your determination to restore the chair to its form is filled with affection and respect for the raw materials that the chair was extracted from and for Mother Nature that sustained it. The final result is an indication of it, and uma obra de amor ( labor of love) . We just don't unload old and damaged articles, we discard a life time of memories and spirit of time as well. Your words and attitude are filled with healing compassion and concern for all the forlorn nostalgia, dearE.

[Einstein Noodle]

Hi Doc! what a gratifying thing you see into this poem in such a way ... your sensitivity shows .. couldn't be more blessed by you my friend .. thank you!
E.

[Mrudula Rani]

The pleasure of learning from your words is wonderful. Wishing you a great week, dear E.

[Einstein Noodle]

;)....................... back at ya!

[Fran Marie]

O h.. this poem is deeply and well executed ..one feels the depth of this piece ...the love of nature and life
combined this kind of poetry gets Real ..yes its as real a s it gets..

nice work E

[Einstein Noodle]

aww thanks Fran .. your words blesses me day :) thanks so much for taking time to read and let me know your thoughts on the poem... peace and joy! :)
E.

[Laura Kate]

Such a touching story E, of restoration ' the action of turning something back to its former owner, place or condition'. It's the intent behind it which I find so touching, seeking for the heart of the tree which you will have restored (condition) providing it with a new home (place) for it to be loved once again (owner).
Just brilliant!
Laura.

[Einstein Noodle]

you hit the mark Laura! its the intent and process ..i have always enjoyed working with me hands and when it is with wood one gets a splinter or two, exchanges oils and as a blind person ... comes to see with feeling each nook and cranny of the piece ... thank you very much for reading and reviewing ..

[Terpsichore]

The kind of story poem that gives me hope for the human race. When I read this, I know It's not all bad out there, no matter the rogues and vagabonds that roam this world.

May you enjoy the chair for a very long time.

T

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Terp! i feel you! seems the world is quite dark at times ... it does help to take note of small miracles all around ... a wonderland of Creation :) its very gratifying to hear reading this poem brought a bit of positive light to mind for you ... thanks so much!
E.