The Chairs That No One Sits In – by Billy Collins
You see them on porches and on lawns
down by the lakeside,
usually arranged in pairs implying a couple
who might sit there and look out
at the water or the big shade trees.
The trouble is you never see anyone
sitting in these forlorn chairs
though at one time it must have seemed
a good place to stop and do nothing for a while.
Sometimes there is a little table
between the chairs where no one
is resting a glass or placing a book facedown.
It may not be any of my business,
but let us suppose one day
that everyone who placed those vacant chairs
on a veranda or a dock sat down in them
if only for the sake of remembering
what it was they thought deserved
to be viewed from two chairs,
side by side with a table in between.
The clouds are high and massive on that day.
The woman looks up from her book.
The man takes a sip of his drink.
Then there is only the sound of their looking,
the lapping of lake water, and a call of one bird
then another, cries of joy or warning—
it passes the time to wonder which.
( from Aimless Love)
And leave the iPhones in the house! Sitting on porch chairs in the evening is one of life’s simple pleasures and so is reading a Billy Collins poem! 🙂
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Those simple pleasures are the best and no where better than sitting on a porch. While still morning, I just came in from doing just that (unfortunately, the noise of house construction was rattling next door 😦 ) I love these words “only the sound of their looking”.
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That is so beautiful, touched me, so I ordered the book. Everyone needs a good book of poetry and now I will have one, Thanks Penny….
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I love Billy Collins and think you will enjoy his poetry, Sharon. He can be quite humorous and yet get to the soul. It was Janet’s son Anton who told me about Billy Collins! He was then a college student, home for break, and mentioned this poet as we talked in the old Chocolate Moon. You are welcome – enjoy!
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Just beautiful, Penny! Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem today. It’s an important, much-needed, gentle reminder to sit quietly in those empty chairs ~ reading, listening to the birds, and dreaming… I promise to do just that today! Big hugs! ♡
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You are welcome. I enjoy Billy Collins’ poetry, and this one seemed to fit today. Hope you find some quiet moments today. Thank you.
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Wow. So beautiful and so poignant. I’ve seen chairs like that–forlorn and un-sat upon. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Penny. Makes me want to head out and sit on the chairs outside!
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I hope you have a few moments to sit on a forlorn looking chair, L. Marie. Billy Collins is a favorite poet of mine. He always seems to find the right words for the most forlorn things.
Nice to have it a wee bit less humid – though still hot and steamy. Take care.
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It’s too cold here on the coast of northern California to sit outside . But I still enjoyed the beautiful poem. Thank you Penny
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You are welcome, Gerlinde. It has been so hot and humid here, I wouldn’t mind some of your coastal cool right now. 🙂
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This is such a great poem. And it is true. I never, ever see anyone sitting in the chairs in their yards. Maybe it is the same idea as what I’ve heard – that those who have those huge, magnificent kitchens never cook in them. Weird.
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I thought so as well, Nan. Billy Collins is one of my favorites.
That’s what I tell myself as I look at my typical kitchen mess, which I use all the time (the kitchen, not the excuse).
Just came in awhile ago with a bouquet from a local vegetable stand, The Farm. They are growing flowers to sell in that back. Not quite your CSA beauties, but, I like the idea.
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This is a very special poem. I really love the challenge it relays to me personally! I have two Adirondack chairs in our front yard, and yes, we rarely sit in them! I am not familiar with Billy Collins, Penny. I’ve been introduced to so many wonderful writers and poets because of your wonderful sharing. 🙂
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Thank you Debra. I am delighted to introduce such wonderful writers as Billy Collins. He has a way of wording that makes me smile while pushing me to wonder and reflect. He was poet laureate and has a pretty substantial volume of work.
I think we all have chairs in our lives, just waiting for us. This one pictured is ours. It was oft-used at one time, now sits lit a bump on a log. 🙂
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I love this poem. Coincidentally, I was walking through our park today and saw a family on their deck–and I was shocked. I’ve seen people in the park or puttering around their yards, but never sitting on the deck. I’ve got to do more of that myself.
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I do, too, Susan. Interesting that you would see the family on their deck and then this poem. I think it is an omen that you need to take some time to sit on an outdoor chair. 🙂 I sat outside for a bit today, once the humidity went down. Enjoy your weekend.
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Nice poem Penny, and I think of your special chair which I think you put on your porch. I’m sure that one is not un-sat-on.
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My special chair on the front porch is sat upon just about every day. 🙂 Sometimes, I sit for a spell reading, observing, listening, other times just for a few moments, sipping water or tea, as I work in the garden beds. Billy Collins seems to have a poem for so many moments in my life.
Our days are getting shorter here, Juliet, as yours are getting longer.
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