catapult magazine

Never Was a Chair So Empty

by Carol Brennan King

Never was a chair so empty
She said.
Never was a bed so lonely.
They sat around the table
Smiles pasted in place.
Don’t look to me.

The glue will fail.
My face will crack;
Tears will leak from
Every crevice and
I’d hate to spoil the
Party.  I’d hate to
Break the mood.  I

Don’t want your pity.
Don’t make me find
My voice and share
Words with you.
I don’t know
What will come out

Because never was a
Chair so empty.