What bubbles up, companions joined,
around full platters, more to spare,
rehearsing past in reminisce,
flock together, buffet share,
recollect and reconstruct,
or maybe rake what better left,
despite ice stare from upper right,
until all called to toast the pair?
They rise in straggles, concentrate,
recharging glasses yet again –
spare tableware for toppled brim –
turn from fare, too much consumed,
sparkles fizzing, frothy cheer,
a tummy wobble, drumstick scare,
salute, as flutes raised in the air,
amidst chair scraping, faint applause.
The surface tension tippled, swear
allegiance, carefree, loyal dare
that none spoil uniformity.
Glares are missed by misty eyes,
combover hair set adrift,
but wise ensure none loose control.
or bare their souls through slackened tongues,
nor voice unspoken epithets.
Stephen Kingsnorth (Cambridge M.A., English & Religious Studies), retired to Wales, UK, from ministry in the Methodist Church due to Parkinson’s Disease, has had pieces published by on-line poetry sites, printed journals and anthologies, including Poetry Potion.
His blog is at https://poetrykingsnorth.wordpress.com/