Such an exclusive club
in this small city
between fields
heavy door opening
- with no squeak -
to a seemingly endless line of wood trim
braided and polished and etched
with animals enduring the hunt
in a non-bloody civilized doily way
heavy carpet smelling
of money and wine
with fresh flowers in a vase
taller than a yardstick
such a lovely tray of desserts
and I am ultra-poised
right up until I tip my plate
and a raspberry makes its getaway
(cue the sophisticates’ snickering)
but it’s ok, I laugh at myself often too
I don’t belong here, my brain screams
as I politely nod
and school my face to a mill-pond calm
listening to talk of Trump and the Pope
and barbecue ribs
while they reminisce
about people I don’t know,
I imagine I’m at the riverbank
near the almost forgotten bridge
(I’m in love with its rust)
about to sail for Candyland
to find a recipe for the dessert
I just ate that made me remember
being six at a tea party with
bunnies and bears -
you know, before I started thinking
before speaking
which takes a lot out of me
so I stare into the teaspoon
and see the room reflected
in its silly glory,
my head forming the smile on edge.