At the Sofa of Holmfirth you are invited to consider: What does Holmfirth mean to you? Sit down at the sofa in Holmeside Gardens and let Holmfirth tell you a story as you “Peek in the Pockets of Poetry”. Hidden within the sofa are specially commissioned pockets of prose written by Members of Holmfirth Writers Group for the festival. We share them here:
Holmfirth Sofa by Mary Lister
This sofa had its day, long ago in Holmfirth.
Once it was new and bouncy, bought on the never-never.
Held newly-weds in its springy arms.
Cushioned their kisses, embraced them embracing.
Their first son conceived in its soft upholstered womb.
Then came the adolescents, vegging out into the late hours
Smoking pot, legs over arms
Watching late night films, with takeaways splatting its full-bodied inwards,
And crumbs and old biscuits buried in its bowels.
A fag-hole tattooed forever on its heart.
This sofa witnessed confessions, conversations, marital spats
Deep into the Yorkshire night.
It heard rows, family fall-outs, followed by slammed doors.
Or hugs in its vorsprung cushioned hug.
The family circle became a semi-circle round the flickering telly.
Then old age: Two deep bottomed-cheeked cavities
Where they sat, grandchildren on laps,
Coffee stained arms declaring archaeological evidence of lives well sat.
Now this sofa has been put out on the street
Like an old unwanted relative.
But now it‘s surprised by its sudden after-life – Festival status!
Left in the rain for your backsides to impress on it
Your own story, so that old stories may rise like ghosts to tell you their tale.
If you are inspired to write your own stories of Holmfirth – please email them to storysofas@holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk to feature on the Story Sofas blog.
