Thanks, Mike and Bob for your excellent attention to this poem. It has moved 
on very slightly since posting though is in essance the same piece. I think 
on balance I'd run with Mike's interpretation that this is a metaphorical 
chair though with the premise based on a functional object that we all use. 
I like how you have taken up, Bob, the idea of interpreting the chair for 
yourself. This is a definite intention in the poem. I would stand fairly 
well with the current first line as I want to establish in the first stanza 
that indefinite idea that most people have recognised so well. Thanks again 
to you guys and all others who responded with crits.



bw
James





>From: Mike Horwood <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: :A Chair As A Fourteen Liner - Bob and James
>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 11:46:31 +0200
>
>I´ve just read Bob´s comments and while I can see the point of his 
>argument, I´d like to add that I read the first stanza differently. For me 
>the indeterminacy of phrases like `At a certain level from the ground´ and 
>`from time to time´. worked perfectly and reinforced what I had understood 
>to be one theme of the poem. I took the chair in the poem to be as much 
>metaphorical as real and my feeling is that making changes that bring the 
>chair fully into the real world would detract from the poem. That´s how I 
>read it, at least.
>
>
>Best wishes,   Mike
>
>
>
>--- Alkuperäinen viesti ---
>Hi James,
>The 2nd and 3rd stanzas seem a lot more powerful than the first. I sense
>part of that is to do with the first words they use "This is a chair" which
>seem so strong, positive. I feel that, if the first stanza were written in
>the same strong, assertive, tone (maybe starting with the words "This is a
>chair that/which ..." the repetition would add to the poem. Could the first
>stanza, instead of saying, "from time to time" actually mention specific
>times "we all" sit in it (lovely inclusive and subtle word "all"!).
>I mean, I have a chair for sighs, for giggles, for squirming in - which
>might look to be the same chair to anyone else but it feels different when
>I'm in a different mood. And I know, when I go to other people's homes I
>subconsciously sit on the same chair if I can (and they do the same when
>they come round to ours!). Then the last point of the poem takes me even
>further out in how I see things! That's how the poem's working for me.
>Oh yes, and I also like its sonnetness!
>Bob
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: James Bell <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: New sub:A  Chair As A Fourteen Liner
> >Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:37:57 +0000
> >
> >I must be going through a weird stage, though have not been indulging in
> >Lemsip or opium or herbal enhancements of any kind. C&c would be very
> >welcome.
> >
> >
> >A CHAIR AS A FOURTEEN LINER
> >
> >At a certain level from the ground
> >is a chair on which we all sit
> >from time to time to park or reflect
> >but mostly to rest our feet
> >and ease the lumbar region from pain.
> >
> >This is a chair of many different shapes
> >designed for a single functional purpose
> >on which to sit though not to sleep.
> >
> >This is a chair from where to expect
> >that its contact shares the contention
> >you get at the show of emotion -
> >will grip one moment then feel
> >as if there is no chair there -
> >a chair with only the function of air.
> >
> >
> >
> >bw
> >James
> >
> >
> >
> >
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