made objects
as you stroke this
smoothness into warmth
your finger will meet
no resistance
the marks of the plane
will have been sanded
away with glass paper
there will be an application
of the molasses-coloured oil
with this soft muttoncloth
the word waft
will waft in a breeze
of vanilla and turpentine
a dust so fine will flour
the varnished surfaces
I will finger a message there
in times of famine
eat the tiny artichokes
that are thistles
but in times of plenty
buy these chairs
polish them for your children
and the children of your children
written by
my finger
in my dust
in the sweet oil
James Norcliffe