Lampshade

He was tall as a tree
With a head like a flesh-colored lampshade
He had a small top of red hair
The texture of which was thick and yarnish
He was dressed to a tee
Looking the part of a college professor
Legs conservatively crossed and patches on his elbows
He was writing on a pad
Sometimes furiously, other times lethargic
Crafting the great American novel?
Perhaps making out the week's list of groceries
The chair he was sitting on was balanced on a sharp ledge
He looked ready to fall at any moment
I hope he can finish his work before he hits bottom