The Man and the Couch

An old, tattered couch stood inside a cafe
And spoke with a stranger just starting his day.  

"Come tell me your stories!" the couch shouted out,
As the customer wearily wandered about. 

He smiled at the couch, but wasn't quite sure,
For it might find his stories of hardship a bore. 

"My tales end in pain, for I've lived a hard life. 
I just lost my job and I fear soon my wife."

"Then please, take a seat, start with how it began. 
I promise to listen," the couch told the man.

"See over the years, I've heard countless folks speak.
Each one told a tale that was new and unique. 

I live to hear to stories, no matter the end. 
I'd love to hear yours, so please join me, my friend!"

And join it he did, he told it his tales,
Stories of hardship, pain, and travails,

About how he never knew quite what to say,
He was closed off and short with his wife every day. 

And each time for work, he was hired to sell,
But he’d fumble his words so they’d bid him farewell. 

The old, tattered couch soaked in every last word. 
And the man was at peace, for at last he felt heard. 

“So what happens next?“ the couch asked the man,
Who smiled and thought and then told it his plan. 

"I'll find a new job and then win back my wife!
We'll fight for our marriage, at last end the strife." 

"Then let's get to work!" said the couch with a grin. 
"I’d love to hear more, let this story begin!"

It started with resumes sent across town,
But for each one he sent, the man was turned down. 

The couch gave him comfort, but pushed him as well,
To stop by next door at the fancy hotel. 

“They’re looking for someone to greet all their guests,
Open their doors and oblige their requests.”

“But I can’t talk to people!” objected the man. 
The couch simply laughed and said, “I think you can!

Cause look at you now, we’re chatting away!
Pretend that they’re me and you’ll find words to say.”

“Well, I’ll give it a shot, I have nothing to lose,”
Said the man who went home for a suit, tie, and shoes. 

He returned to the couch, who said, “go give ‘em hell!”
He smiled and then walked in the fancy hotel. 

They gave him the job! He began right away,
And met dozens of people throughout his first day. 

At the end of his shift, he walked to the couch,
Then sleepily smiled and sat with a slouch. 

“So many people just walked through my door,
I heard tales of adventure and romance and more!

They both then shared stories of folks they had met,
But the man told the couch that he had one regret. 

“I’ve talked all day long, but not once to my wife,
I wish that she knew she’s the love of my life!

I was once romantic, but now don’t know how.”
“Well go home and tell her you love her right now!”

Said the couch to the man, who then took its advice,
And his wife said she loved him, first once and then twice.

As the months trickled by, he was filled up with joy,
For the man and his wife were expecting a boy!

They’d stop by the coffee shop, sit down and rest
On the couch, as it asked them which names they liked best. 

After weeks of debate, they decided on Paul,
Who was born at the very first sunrise of fall. 

He was 9.5 pounds! And quickly he grew. 
The days and the weeks and the months simply flew. 

“I’ll tell you, old friend, they grow up so fast.”
Said the man to the couch, “these moments won’t last.”

“Then savor them, relish them, find joy each day!
Don’t let the best parts of life slip away!”

Said the couch to the man, as it creaked with each word. 
The man was upset by these noises he heard. 

He looked at the couch, which had frayed even more,
Its armrest was broken and sunk toward the floor. 

“You doing ok there?” he asked his dear friend,
Worried its life might be nearing its end.

“The coffee shop thinks I am getting too old. 
I’ll be thrown out next week if I cannot be sold.”

Said the couch to the man, who was simply distraught. 
He sat on the couch and then laid back and thought. 

For the past couple years, it had always been there
To listen and comfort and most of all care. 

It was time now for him to take care of the couch. 
He smiled and searched and sat up from his slouch. 

He walked to the owner and paid him his price,
Then brought the couch home without once thinking twice.

His wife was ecstatic, for she loved it too. 
And it brought out the best in her husband, she knew. 

So they put it inside, sat it right near the door.
And welcomed the couch in their family of four. 

As the years trickled by, in that spot it would stay,
Watching the family find joy every day. 

"Come tell me your stories!" the couch would shout out,
Each night as the family gathered about.

And tell them they did, there were stories of school,
Parties and day trips and days at the pool. 

And the man would tell tales from the fancy hotel,
Of guests he had greeted and wished, “fond farewell!”

The old, tattered couch soaked in every last word. 
And the family felt loved and they always felt heard.