THE MOTHER IS SPEAKING TO HER CHAIRS

The mother was born in a large city in 1956
The father was born in a small town in 1957
They met each other in a third place in 1979

They got married in the large city in 1980
They moved together to the small town in 1981
Their first child was born there in 1982

Their second child was born there in 1984
Their third child was born there in 1986
The mother’s uncle died in 1988. He left her six good chairs

Over a period there are approximately
2 cats, 3 mice, 4 rats, 5 fish, 6 birds & 1 dog
By 2003 the mother & father have split up

By 2004 all the animals have died
By 2005 all the children have moved out
& the mother has the six chairs recovered

It was expensive, but, she argues, it has been such a long time
& the first child gets a pet. He phones the mother to tell her
He says how he talks with the pet & how nice it feels

The mother says well I talk to my chairs so I understand yeah I get it
I say hello chairs, I love you chairs, you are so beautiful, chairs
& the first child says, good Ma that’s good, well talk to you soon

Ok bye hon, she says & they hang up

Sam Duckor-Jones

Sam Duckor-Jones is an artist and writer from Te Whanganui-a-Tara now living in Mawhera.