Legs and Arms by Ruth Collie — Read

A curious thing, but a fact all the same, some friends of mine (never / mind what name) thought of nothing and talked of naught but a William / and Mary chair they'd bought. And also a table, a tallboy, a chest, / with which they had furnished the room for a guest. Whenever I / visited just for a span, 'twas "William and Mary" or good "Queen / Anne. " 'Twas "Heppelwhite" this and "Chippendale" that. I soon had / the periods learnt off pat. They looked at a leg, "Cup-turned," they / said, and bade me observe their Sheraton bed. But now all's changed, / and the reason's this. There's a little curved leg they love to / kiss; there's a dimpled arm so smooth and white, its graceful contour / gives delight. And as for the chest, it gives much joy. Says Daddy, / "Just look at this fine tall boy! " Of Seventeenth Century they don't / speak. Everything dates from just last week. For period furniture / lost its hold -- since they have acquired a One-Week-Old.