“Lament to sitting then destroying their chair” by Heather Griffith


How an IKEA construction
made there
in their house
should bear her
suddenly
up then down
but doesn’t
and never

a chair again
she is a girl
leaving an abusive relationship
destroying their chair
but the ant’s mouth
dusted with shavings
broke other
objects of theirs
one or two
she has the sure foreboding
at knowing
a broken peace
passing on the destruction

Baby Bear’s chair is gone.


Heather Griffith lives in Santa Cruz. She is a writer, mother, and physical therapist. Her work has been published by Poetryfest and the California Arts Council.