Empty Chairs

I was at an event yesterday with my focus rambling between the memory of two fallen artist. There on the table in front of the audience sat a vase of roses and just beyond that an empty chair. I found myself staring at this off and on. Sometimes with joy, and at other times with sorrow. I was happy that the usual occupant of that seat was now at peace, but quite saddened not to see him there. As news spread of the death of Michael Jackson, my thoughts consistently returned to the image of that chair. I wondered how it would feel the first time the Jackson family clan gathered for a family function knowing they would never physically see their relative again... An empty chair, yet full somehow... Enjoy!

"Empty Chairs"

It occurred to me the other day
The significance of empty chairs
Sitting still
Motionless
Quiet
Amongst the noise that usually surrounds them;
It occurred to me
As I remembered influence
Inspiration
How souls
Though gone
Continue on
Through the dream and actions
Of those bestowed upon the gift
Of both having
And not having known them.

(Now that's powerful.)

I think to myself
What will my empty chair signify
In conclusion and tears?
What will four legs
A back
And maybe two arm rest
Echo
Down
The whispers of history
Beyond b.
d.
And what lay in between
Along my little dash
That representation of my time spent here...

Empty chairs.
Not so empty as it turns out.
I wonder
If I sit in them
Is it possible to feel
(Will they feel?)
The spiritual mark left behind?
©2009clarencecbess