Ode to The Chair

no. 1 In the trilogy: Odes to Ordinary Things

I sat down at my desk this morning determined to conquer the day.

My body lodged an objection.

My neck complained.

My shoulders protested.

My back submitted a formal grievance.

A knee I don't even remember injuring requested the floor.

For a while, I interpreted this as resistance.

A failure of discipline.

An obstacle to overcome.

Then it occurred to me that perhaps my body was not refusing to participate.

Perhaps it was simply tired of being treated like a vehicle and wanted to be recognised as part of the journey.

Perhaps it was saying:

"Excuse me. Before we begin, I believe I, too, am here."

my cat climbed on my keyboard as I wrote