The Chair Poem by Alexandra Motschmann

Prolog
More than 8000 years old
without any single gold
the chair on that day
was made out of clay
In ancient Egypt chairs appear
of great richness and splendor
of ebony there and ivory here
carved and gilded wood to adore
covered with costly materials
representing natural forms
harmonic universal essentials
of comfort new platforms

Chapter I
But I am much younger
never saw a blunger
just plane and sandpaper
was my design shaper
When I was ready I was sold
to Johanna Sch. in Germany
and she already foretold
beauty always rests accompany
I was used often on that time
cause many people came to talk
about the contemporary mime
of riches, rank and luxury walk
they debated with enthusiasm
about industry and what may come
of progress and atavism
good souls and human scum
The idea of a new social order
born through economic growth
found its way across the border
and humanity nearly reflows
Mr. G recalled on Frankenstein
and what to be considered now
openly minded they drank wine
and infected spirits grew and flow
One time a friend came by
and convinced the Lady to sell
so he paid and said goodbye
pitiful but no one heard my yell
We went on board a sailing ship
and started an adventurous trip

Chapter II
I was wrapped in paper still
it seemed to me a bitter pill
I pondered on the great past
like a reborn enthusiast
We entered in a Masonic Lodge
there I stood in a corner for a while
surrounded by a hodge-podge
design in an exquisite English style
Just man were members of this club
which was to me highly regrettable
no more women and just men flubdub
no more beauty and less amenable
They talked about a thousand things
of Lao Tse and Shoreham Ancients
of anarchism and their out-dated kings
assessing the right award recipients
Technology and it’s new inventions
by Thomas Edison and Asaph Hall
changed these age-old institutions
and a bulb illuminated the ample hall.
Some decades I had to stay
when a long hair and elegant gay
a standards and regulations scorner
took me out of this dark corner

Chapter III
Once more we crossed the ocean
while I had this hazy notion
that active life will start again
happily freed of being lurdane
we went to Paris by a Panhard-Levassor
and at a full mechanical gallop
exciting this new horse successor
and fantastic up there on the fancy top
When we entered in my new dwelling
the first I saw was the kiss
it was an amicable warm-hearted meeting
and I felt almost a quiet bliss.
A revolt against nature and a woman genius
loved to sit on me and contemplate
her work while referring to Confucius
and how to open the mental gate
Often a German friend came for a visit
he spoke of an eastern nation
where people had such a deep spirit
you could feel it through emotion.
Most of the time I was coated with dust
I loved it - the whole scenery
the air was suffused with creative lust
work combined with clownery
Once an art collector came along
his persuasive power was so strong
that he got me as a supplement
again owned by a different hand

Chapter IV
Again we crossed the sea
we had to flee
The First World War started
we just departed
to the world of endless opportunities
someone said
full of increasing productivities
money-mad
First they took me to a restorer
who gave me a youthful look
he was a gentle wine savorer
musing in his dining nook
from there I was sent
to my new owner and appreciator
tough in his fields
as a money maker and investor
with enormous yields
business was his main passion
considering ways and means
to obtain daily a new possession
and everywhere it gleams
Black Tuesday almost ruined him
but he was smart
and never declared to be a victim
that was his part
During Second World War he volunteered
I understood his private motives
to free my home of one who domineered
leaving behind all derivatives
when he came back
he changed a lot
he took another track
to change the blot
by the time when he grew old
he still was bold
and sent me back to home
via an American airdrome

Chapter V
Back home I kissed the earth
with my four slender legs
almost brimming over mirth
surrounded by carpetbags
they collected me at the gate
with joy and awe as well
I still was in a perfect state
and curious where now to dwell
In the kitchen I found a place
we had party almost every day
most had a revolutionary pace
they all glowing soothsay
man extinct his own breed
others opposed over-zealous
that man will succeed
satisfied and prosperous
Curiosity and sincere desire
one of those things to admire

Epilog

A chair is a piece of furniture
of different shapes and architecture
with a raised surface to sit on
commonly used by one person
Design considers intended usage
ergonomics and functional advantage
ISO 9241 requirements
great artistic fitments
amazing
thing