Suspended

Saw it in the store, a stripe of color

between two fake plastic trees.

The fabric hung, a gentle U,

inviting a kind of useless peace.

My mind went to the effort:

finding two perfect points, the stretch,

the awkward fall when you first try to get in,

or worse, try to get out.

All that ease, a carefully arranged

show for purchase. My back still aches

from yesterday, from the wrong chair.

And the price tag, a small, quiet theft.