The Guest List

The Guest List

 

The party was in full flow
Friends and neighbours all
some I liked, some I didn’t,
The short, the fat, the tall.

Hardly a rave, but nevertheless,
A lively gathering,
All members of my social set
Blithering, Swaggering, jabbering.

Sashaying around the village hall
While the Violets were shrinking,
I’ll introduce the ones I know,
Talking, drinking, winking.

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Luce Lizzy, déshabillé of course, was there,
Flirting with Slack Edna – loose and sloppy – as usual

Wally Batty, shooting pigeons, most out of character.

Nora Bittov enjoyed nibbling the peanuts.

Hans Zupp showed willing, as usual.

But Dai La Finn enlivened proceedings when he keeled over,

Ivor Ed Aike left early, claiming he wasn’t feeling well’

Jackie Tallin also soon threw in the towel and went home early.

Eva Brick had another tantrum and started throwing crockery,

While G. G. Dunnit spread fertiliser on the garden.

Randy Hertz, indulged his masochistic bent with two Gentlemen of Verona

While Googie Withers wilted by the radiator.

Dai Dinderwool kept telling the same old jokes he did every time we met.

Tara Korsetzov threw caution to the winds and did a streak across the tennis court.

Dickie Bird gave us a rendering of ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’,

followed shortly by Jim Khana jumping over the bar and helping himself to a flagon of Johnny Walker.

Which, of course, he shared with Don Keedarby.

Sam U Rye crossed swords with everyone he met.

Winnie Bago drove everyone mad with her erratic manoeuvres,

While Frank Insents did his best to spread his fragrance around.

Eileen Dover at the table gave Flo Tingvota her seal of approval.

Abel Toobegood was busy trying to cheer up Elle  Hathaway,

While Ann A Babtist and Ann T Boddy reverted to chat on their favourite subjects of religion and Covid-19.

 

Having long ago decided that this was getting a bit too fractious and quite unsuitable for my daughter’s 5th Birthday party
I thanked them all, even the uninvited, for turning up

And we ended by all joining Hans Toogether
and singing a resounding chorus with
Will Yenokumbakaggen.

 

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Are your dreams like my dreams?

person lying on wearing earring
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Are your dreams like my dreams?

 

Are your dreams like my dreams, elusive,
With never a clear-cut start;
Are your dreams like mine, inconclusive,
At the end do they just fall apart?

Are your dreams like my dreams, so vague,
Do they mix up the people you know;
Are your dreams like my dreams, opaque,
Are the sites so unclear where you go?

Are you ever en route to a party,
One where you’re desperate to be,
But one that you never can get to,
A permanent absentee?

Are you anxious to find you way home,
Lost and looking for aid,
Or unable to find a companion,
Delayed, dismayed, and afraid?

For me, dreams are never a pathway
To content, to pleasure and bliss;
They never do end in contentment,
Never that satisfied kiss.

 

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The Least Exotic Cocktail Party

cold summer alcohol cocktail

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I was misled
The invitation said
Please come
Don’t be dumb
Lots of drinks
Maybe high jinx. But bring your own
Drinks that is 
And don’t forget
No regrets

But as for nibbles
No quibbles
Crisps and nuts
No ifs and buts
You won’t be denied – 
If self-supplied

Exotic fare
Everywhere
Incessant chat
Fancy that
With both our guests
Yes, hadn’t you guessed?

Just two

– and you

That, of course,
I endorse
Is the reason
In this silly season
For the ‘Exotic’ name
For which I claim
The epithet ‘Least’
May my tribe be increased.

An unusual party
For the arty-farty
But a memory I treasure
Measure for Measure

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