the old chair

You push your back into the old leather chair and look around. How many homes have you lived in, how many apartmemnts, how many times have you changed your life? And now the years have caught up. This chair has been with you now almost as long as most of the books on the shelves that are looking back at you. It was many years ago when you swore that if nothing else you would always hold onto the books. So with you they have come. So many flights of stairs , so many make shift shelves and in reccent years its been nothibg but the best for these faithful companions. Only maple and mahogany. The deserve the nicest you can find. And you have spent more hours devoted to their care and happiness then you have your teeth. The painul reminder that you are human and you do live in a body. Seven trips to the dentist in the last three months and no end in sight. But let's not think of teeth right now, why start now. The books and this old leather chair you rewarded yourself with the first time a big check came in. So here all three of you now sit together after all these years, just you three. There have been a few women, they tried to join you they did their best, but it never worked out. even your son you kept at arms length. He is grown now and you smile because one day you will leave him this chair and these books and maybe then you will be close. So many years, so many apartments and homes, so many lovers and friends. You lean back heavy into the old leather chair and thumb a warn picture.