A Chair's Promise

To a loved child...

One day, this chair - its lifeless wood, will speak. In tones as hushed as its teak. Asking you, how was your day? In that caring, everyday way. 

Its fading polish will shine bright, like my eyes, taking in your laughter and light. Its back arched, as if keeping a watch for you, till the last of you slips from view. 

One day, this chair of mine will be my blurry outline, Its arms, in the shadows, dark and still, stretching, through space I no longer fill. And the silence I cannot break, will leave a  prayer for you in its wake. 

In all its creaks, I’ll echo softly, knowing you’ll miss me most oftly, when in a quiet nowhere, your eyes fall on my empty chair.

Author's Note

Parents never stop being there....
Thank you so much for reading.

Reviews

[JMichael]

I have one of those chairs now and it does all the things you describe it as doing. It doesn’t creak, can never lose any polish but it sits there as a constant reminder of a towering presence that once inhabited it and now has left it eternally empty.

As I have been discovering lately, it’s those inanimate objects that retain so much power over our emotions when we have lost the person that used those objects daily. They just exude a kind of neglected silence that always seems to draw our attention and hold our gaze as our memories flood through us to remind us of happier times.

This is a very accurate portrayal of how ordinary objects like an empty chair continue existing as items of remembrance and quite possibly as silent sentinels to guard over us as our lives move on from grief.

Excellent poem.

[DIVYA]

What you said about the everyday objects coming to symbolize the lost loved one and the time on earth that we spent them - that's been my experience to. The realization that life wont go on forever makes me kinder and more forgiving now. We never know of the next moment. Thank you so much for such a beautiful and understanding review, dear JM. ❤️

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work. Heartfelt.

[BuzzyB]

I feel this poem is very emotional and I can't help think of my grandmother. She loved me most.

[DIVYA]

Thank you very much BellaAzalea. I'm so glad this poem reminded you of your loved one.

[Betty Hermelee]

A chair, a special chair....one with emotions as if it was alive...yet it bears memories of loved ones past and it will to you when you pass...this chair a metaphor for life and death with varied emotions left behind to cherish... yet there may be other inanimate objects as well carrying those emotions that are remembrances of the past.... Love this one Dear Divya, very clever, as all of your poems....
I appreciate you!!!
Warmly, B

[DIVYA]

Thank you so much for such a kind review, dear Betty. So many lifeless things are so alive with memories!

[Betty Hermelee]

So true dear friend...
Happy Monday!! Today is Labor Day in the U.S., many protesters!!!
read moreSo true dear friend...
Happy Monday!! Today is Labor Day in the U.S., many protesters!!!
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

Reading the dedication gives this one its power, which is considerable. Ironically, the most potent memories of us after we have left this plane will have to do with objects others relate to us. Things have no feelings themselves, but they can certainly inspire them.

[DIVYA]

Thanks John, yes its so true that inanimate objects like a chair, a bed, just anything can become such potent reminders of a loved one. And its so painful.

[LisaCarol]

This was very powerful and sensitive. I reread it several times, reminding me of my childhood and my parents. I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing your writing.

[DIVYA]

Thank you so much for the kind words of appreciation for this poem. 🌹