11-26-2021, 10:54 PM
Table Manners
Etiquette, a marvel to
barbarians of every stripe:
what does “politeness” ever do
for guests when time for feasting’s ripe
and elbows fly and gravy spills
salt scatters and quick house-dogs play
beneath the table? Each guest fills
both plate and belly: happy day!
One mildly tells them as they mull
effete ways they can’t comprehend
that we keep knives and elbows dull
preventing waste of food and friend.
(Delayed by a surfeit of "the American bird," as Turks call it.)
Etiquette, a marvel to
barbarians of every stripe:
what does “politeness” ever do
for guests when time for feasting’s ripe
and elbows fly and gravy spills
salt scatters and quick house-dogs play
beneath the table? Each guest fills
both plate and belly: happy day!
One mildly tells them as they mull
effete ways they can’t comprehend
that we keep knives and elbows dull
preventing waste of food and friend.
(Delayed by a surfeit of "the American bird," as Turks call it.)
Non-practicing atheist