The Lady with Three Chairs
Poetry on Gratitude

Gratitude is sometimes shown, not said.
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
Aunty Lin cleaned up all day,
Wiped tables, cleared the rain --
She was plain, wealth not displayed
A cleaner who came by train.
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
She sat near Exit A each day,
Three chairs, set neat, laid out ---
Red, yellow, plastic stools--
In silence sat, not a shout.
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
She never spoke. Just gave nods
Commuters passed her by
But May who worked hard at Stall Four
Dared to ask her, "Why"?
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
She placed the red chair at her feet
Said nothing, but heart stayed.
They left a box. And baked her bread
And returned, unafraid.
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
A month went by. A man stormed in--
Yelling, his fists raised to trounce--
She nudged the blue chair with her foot
The man fell back, sat down.
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
By June, she vanished, with no trace
Just the chairs. Red, yellow, blue.
But in her box, their note of grace
"This one is for you."
πͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π πͺπͺβ€οΈ π π
Original poem by Michelle Liew. AI tags are coincidental.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.


Comments (5)
π©·
A quiet story of kindness, presence, and silent strength. Sometimes, a few chairs and a gentle nod speak louder than words. Beautifully moving.
Have you thought about reading your poems for the YouTube videos. I think it would be much nicer.
Wait, so is she a ghost? Loved your poem!
I love how Aunty Linβs presence spoke louder than words ever could.