Madonna of the Chair

You once sat on straw mats but clearly

it wasn’t enough.

It must not have been

since you lifted the mat a few inches

and added pegs at the corners.

You knew how legs worked,

you used them to look for your food.

Was the elevation meant to match

the hierarchy inside your head?

Higher is better as long as

you’re the one higher up, is that it?

In the beginning,

I was happy to help. Lean on me,

take a load off, Sally.

I stood by while you added

upholstery, leather even, but electricity?

I said, “No way! Don’t make me

or else I’ll fuck everything up.”