A place where I'll post up some thoughts and ideas - especially on literature in education, children's literature in general, poetry, reading, writing, teaching and thoughts on current affairs.
Wednesday 19 November 2014
New poem: Chair
I needed a chair. At the shop the man said that
there was a new Smart Chair.’
He said, ‘It anticipates chair use.’
I said, ‘So, is it like there’s an agreement between
me and the chair? I do what it anticipates I’ll do.’
He said, ‘I think it’s more of a prognosis.’
I said, ‘I’m afraid I’ve never known what the
difference is between a prognosis and a
diagnosis.’
He said, ‘I have that problem too.’
I said, ‘What about the chair?’
He said, ‘I don’t think the chair has a problem.’
‘That’s good,’ I said.
He said, ‘Would you like to use the chair sir?’
I said, ‘I would love to use the chair.’
I sat on it.
‘It’s very good,’ I said.
‘How would you describe the sitting experience,
sir?’
I said, ‘It’s...like...sitting. First I sat down and now
I’m sitting on.’
He made a note.
He said, ‘Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’
‘No thanks,’ I said, ‘it’s a chair I’m after today.’
‘I know,’ he said.
‘And so does the chair, I expect,’ I said.
‘No, I don’t think so,’ he said, ‘the chair doesn’t
know that you want to buy a chair.’