The 2026 Chair Project on display Friday evening at Hopkinsville Brewing Co. (Hoptown Chronicle photo by Jennifer P. Brown)
Hoptown Chronicle invited readers to write chair-themed haikus in support of The Chair Project, a local arts effort benefiting Sanctuary Inc. Below are the two winning poems, five honorable mentions and additional reader submissions selected for publication.
TOP SELECTIONS
Winning haiku
Hey, Governor Ned! Rest your weary bones Hoptown, the bench is for all
— Beth Mueller
Hard red plastic chair Many tears of pain and joy ICU witness
— Yvette Holmes
Honorable mentions
A chair at curbside, Broken leg, missing cushion Dragonfly can rest.
— George Fillingham
Barstool at last call Spins one lonely truth around Till the lights come up.
— Aviral Devtale
Chair for the bad child Sweaty, bored, so defiant Fabric itched my legs
— Karen Dougherty
Losing at checkers. Cracker Barrel rocking chairs Could be worse, I guess.
— Rachel Cavanah
Front porch, evening drinks Easing off the day’s troubles Sitting here with you
— Becky Dearman
More selected entries
Ahhhh … a bit of comfort after a long walk hurt feet what a blessing … chair
— Karen Peterson
She sleeps peacefully Purring, curled up in a chair favorite for now.
— Sharon Delaney
Sitting on the porch My Granddaddy and I watch Summer storms roll in
— Sarah Fields Crow
Comfort solid and Like a lovers purest love Peaceful relaxing
— Roger Tison
Grandma’s rocking chair Held us all one at a time On her aproned lap
— Karen Marlowe
An old garden chair Grandma still smiles while reading Grandpa’s old letters
— Sebastian Chrobak
The chestnut of chairs- the breeze of our believing is trust in our God.
— Kim Downing
When my papa died No one would sit in his chair The loss was too big
— Brittany Cruz
My chair is blessed My Granny rocked us all Her chair is now my chair
— Tammy Renshaw
As my chair gives me rest The Savior lingers nearby Such a peaceful time
— Ron Furgerson
Oh, my happy chair. I love how you feel to me. To rest my weary bones
— Greg Smith
My White Kitchen Chairs Prayers Birthdays Holidays Shared Cards Games braided hair
— Nona Bennett
Shut-up, sit down, think Create ideas upon me A new world opened
— Thomas Jenkins
Rocking, creaking, worn. Secure. Sleep is coming near. Gramma and babe, one.
— Cathy Denison
The Oval desk chair Enormously important Occupant … more so
— Fannie Louise Maddux
Wood creaks as it rocks A gentle voice in the dark Do not forget me
— Brandon Boone
In Mother’s soft chair, she would eat, talk, sleep, and pray. Her spirit is here.
— Francene Gilmer
Rocking chair, unwind Her baby dreams creaked near me Now our children sway
— Jose Quinonez
Your chair is still here. It will be here tomorrow. That is what’s cruel.
— Jason Dillingham
Time slows down for us Smiling, waving, not a word Here, serenity.
— Nancy Askew
Baby in my arms. Build me up, buttercup — shhhhh I rock you to dreams.
— Ginnie Pruitt
My darkest days I Sat alone, on my brightest Though, I sit with you
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