Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tables And Chairs In Trouble


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Cafe, Early Morning


Outside a cafe, tables and chairs
have been arrested and detained,
gathered and restrained by a cable.
Obviously, last night they'd disturbed
the peace. Chairs had shouted protest
about all the asses they must endure.
Tables had rocked and moaned, pounding
on themselves. This morning the furniture
is silent but not ashamed. Tentatively,
the manager releases and arranges first
the tables, then the chairs. One chair
squeaks. A hungover table wobbles.
Customers arrive, unaware of
last night's misdemeanors.


Copyright 2009 Hans Ostrom

1 comment:

Fran Caldwell said...

Loved this.

This draconian attitude can be felt inside restaurants too. I recall having a bit of an altercation with a "wait Person" because I had moved my chair on a slight angle, where it was not meant to be. I was in no one's way, but the neat alignment of the interior was undoubtedly thrown off. I used to like this restaurant but stopped going after that.