O is for Ode to the Upholsterer: A-to-Z Challenge

He’s stuffed a chair on every street,
or hassocks on which to put your feet.
A fainting couch for Ms Récamier,
looking Grecian but really fey.

A modern Egg for Madmen there,
Took ten thousand hand stitches to be fair;
An Eastlake love seat whose threads were bare
Was given new life, it’s only fair!

Mattresses made of coir and hair
His long needle made them square,
And before he bought his trusted Pfaff,
He had to keep a larger staff.

You take for granted what you see,
But behind the saddle, the sofa, the seat,
Is a person who understand upholderie,
And has a flair for passementerie.

Tassels thrill him with delight,
and not the ones that twirl in the night,
An unusual man I’ve got as my mate
Because he talks of gimp when on a date!

Real upholsterers still spit tacks
And use hide glue to mend frame’s cracks
He knows that biscuits make tufted backs,
And his best friend’s are puppies and cats!

Upholstery conservators are a dying breed
The old skills falling out of fashion
But when you’ve sent new sofas to the dump
And you’ve paid a yen for the uncomfortable lump,
The foam’s collapsed, and left a lump,
And your families in a frump.
His trade will again be a needed deed,
And he’ll come racing on his white steed
Or you’ll be stuck with your cheap contraption.

For those of you who dare think twice
Who doubt his worth
Who’ll send them into dearth
It’s your buns who’ll pay the price!

American Antebellum Sofa

©MPF Conservation.  May be printed for your own use ONLY,
not for use on blogs without permission.

About D. Katie Powell

hollywood baby turned beach gurl turned steel&glass city gurl turned cowgurl turned herb gurl turned green city gurl. . . artist writer photographer. . . cat lover but misses our big dogs, gone to heaven. . . foodie, organic, lover of all things mik, partner in conservation business mpfconservation, consummate blogger, making a dream happen, insomniac who is either reading buddhist teachings or not-so-bloody mysteries or autobio journal thangs early in the morning when i can't sleep
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4 Responses to O is for Ode to the Upholsterer: A-to-Z Challenge

  1. susanissima – I am one who as a toddler crossing the BIG WATER was so tossed and jostled on a Stuttgart-bound ocean liner that a new verb, bimbam, was created. “No bimbam, Mommy!” In Germany, I watched our housekeeper spill black ink on my mother’s white linen tablecloth, causing cacophonic chaos and also an exquisite Rorschach. These indelible experiences continue to manifest themselves in my love of travel, language and art.
    susanissima says:

    A triumph, my dear Katie! I just knew you were a poet! Whoo hoo!!!

    • dkatiepowell – cat lover but misses our big dogs, gone to heaven. . . buddhist began as zennie then turned to tibetan AND interested in the study of various spiritual traditions. . . foodie, organic, lover of all things mik, partner in conservation business, making a dream happen insomniac who is either reading mysteries or autobio journal thangs or buddhism early in the morning when i can’t sleep. . . lover of dotz . . . and dashes –
      zenkatwrites says:

      Not easy. Michell helped a bit on our drive back from delivery at the NPS yesterday! Fun!

  2. Tina Downey says:

    What a lovely post! Gorgeous photos to go with your compelling poetry. I think I need a fainting couch…I’m rather a dramatic person, so I think it would fit. That pink one looks very comfortable…
    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

    • dkatiepowell – cat lover but misses our big dogs, gone to heaven. . . buddhist began as zennie then turned to tibetan AND interested in the study of various spiritual traditions. . . foodie, organic, lover of all things mik, partner in conservation business, making a dream happen insomniac who is either reading mysteries or autobio journal thangs or buddhism early in the morning when i can’t sleep. . . lover of dotz . . . and dashes –
      zenkatwrites says:

      Poetry is not my thang, so this was a stretch! (No pun intended!)

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