at the grown ups’ table
the adults compare incomes through
cleverly disguised
vacation stories
at the grown ups’ table
they lace the expensive wine with traces
of spanish inquisition
at the grown ups’ table
everyone is wearing
fresh-pressed suits and pretty dresses above
the table but underneath
the table they sharpen their
knives with the steely edges of their
manicured claws
at the grown ups’ table
everyone makes a specific point
to compliment someone’s meat loaf
casserole, to play
advocate to someone’s ambrosia salad
while carefully ignoring someone’s
homemade raspberry vinaigrette
dressing
at the grown ups’ table
someone isn’t mentioning to someone else
that there is a tiny dated speck of political agenda
stuck between someone’s
grinded white teeth
at the grown ups’ table
there is assigned seating and you will be
tested on your acquired knowledge of
chilled salad fork,
soup spoon,
and when you toast
how appropriately you bang
your obnoxious knife against your
crystal wine glass (ideal for
riesling, just a sin to use for
cabernet sauvignon)
at the grown ups’ table
someone is offering to take your plate for you
so they can plot your social murder in the trenches
of the granite countertops of their
catalog kitchen
at the grown ups’ table
dessert means coffee and coffee means
conversation and conversation
means mental minesweeper; psychological warfare
over a lovely blitz torte served on the
second finest china in
this
american
household
meanwhile
at the kids’ table
everyone is playing with each other’s food
squished together at the colorful plastic table
and laughing at each other’s
jokes
COPYRIGHT BRICE MAIURRO 2012
Point of the story; never lose your inner child? Well, that’s the point I decided to take from your story. And I liked it. The point (even if it wasn’t really there for the taking) and the story. Kudos.
That is definitely the point.
I like this one to = ) Very nice
I really admire your poetry. The way you smash so many topics together and present them as one jumbled entree is amazing! I’ve been reading quite a bit of your work and I’m really impressed. Keep up the good work
.
Ouch! Brilliant.
Thank you.
I know where I’m sittin’.
Heck yes!
Nice. I’m jumping up onto the grown-up’s table, mooning my hairy arse about and stamping in the fois-gras darling
Thanks for the follow
Well played!
Yup I am on the kids table too
We got three at the kids’ table so far, and one daring vigilante at the grown ups’ table. This should be one heck of a gathering.
no regrets I followed you dude. Loved it!!!!!!!
Thanks, Dexter! Glad to have ya.
Brice – thank you for following my blog. I am honored to have you as a follower. I checked out your profile and it led me to beautiful poetry by you. I am hooked! You definitely speak the truth. I can tell you are an avid observer of people, as am I. Thanks!
Sure thing, Debb! Thanks for the nice words and stopping by and reading.
Thanks Brice as it gave me something to think about…
Thank YOU, Mike! Glad you got something out of it.`
Poignant. Brutal. True.
Thanks for the follow! I look forward to reading more of your work as I follow along with you as well!
Best,
Savannah Jual
untetheredasacloud.wordpress.com
Thanks a lot!
Pingback: MIKE TEEVEE | FLASHLIGHT CITY BLUES
I think I want to sit at the kids’ table!
That makes four of us at the kids’ table!
I’m with ya at the kids table too!
We’re gonna need a bigger table! =)
When I was little child I loved being at the kid’s table. Adults probably felt it was a practical way of confinement but they had no idea how special our kids world was and in this world we were much wiser and happier than they were. Matter of fact, at 63, I prefer the kids table.
I was the oldest grandkid and the first one to “graduate” to the adult table. I still try to sneak back to the kids’ table as often as possible.
Thanks again for reading.
There’s nothing more refreshing than well-written works of art. The imagery here is great. Thanks for sharing your poetry!
Thank you!
“…crystal wine glass (ideal for
riesling, just a sin to use for
cabernet sauvignon)”
Stunning. This poem is the best thing I’ve read in a very, very long time. Your imagery is outstanding. Made my chest heavy.
Thank you for the follow. I was delighted to see the message in my inbox, and as soon as I read “Ginsberg” as an influence in your profile, I was hooked. I see a touch him in your writing. Well, well done.
-Jenn
It Does Art
Thank you so much, Jenn!
I’m reading this aloud at Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Really?!
Yes, from the kids table.
Two different versions of gamesmanship. I love the outrage at hidden agenda and the wonder at childlike camaraderie…Doug
Gamesmanship?
The adults are playing for the upper hand. The kids are just playing.
haha. Very witty.
Seems true when I go out with some friends.
Though some friends aren’t like that.
I was laughed at the way I reacted to things. I just don’t know why.
And thank you for following my blog.
Great poem! I am enjoying your work!
Thanks for reading, Tommy/