for Veronica
Think perched on a Platonic form,
behind the wheel of hybrid jeep,
think Rodin parked with chin on paw,
or climbing up to Arthur’s Seat.
Think dining out on à la grecque –
be chary of the frozen plaice,
reshuffling the Titanic’s deck,
or tipping back with poker face.
Think entertaining back at yours,
or riding on a London bus,
debating armchair warriors,
eviscerating bean bags’ guts.
Think Tripos pharmaceutical,
promotion to professorships,
or swivelling in a cubicle,
upraising kids to reach your chips.
Think lying flat to face your shrink,
reposing for the artist’s eye,
reclining at the salon’s sink,
relaxing with a cup of chai.
Aggrandizement on porcelain,
demotion to the bench again,
four legs or three or two or none,
draw up a chair; let’s have some fun
supporting Wycombe all the way,
three cheers for chairs, hip hip hooray!
Clare Bryden “Think chair”, contribution to “Get On Board 39”, Studio 36, April-May 2024.