Madonna of the Chair
By Mary Jo Bang
“Madonna della Sedia,” Raphael, ca. 1513–14
You once sat on straw mats but clearly
it wasn’t enough.
It must not have been
since you lifted the mat a few inches
and added pegs at the corners.
You knew how legs worked,
you used them to look for your food.
Was the elevation meant to match
the hierarchy inside your head?
Higher is better as long as
you’re the one higher up, is that it?
In the beginning,
I was happy to help. Lean on me,
take a load off, Sally.
I stood by while you added
upholstery, leather even, but electricity?
I said, “No way! Don’t make me
or else I’ll fuck everything up.”
