Table Talk

...dedicated to Billy Collins We're standing on the Dining Table, Salt and Pepper by ourselves, Tablecloth is in the drier, Dinner Plates still on the shelves. Later on there'll be a banquet, fifteen guests, an all black-tie, candlelight and lots of flowers, supper time is drawing nigh! Here she comes, our charming hostess, preparations underway, Mr Tablecloth is rescued, spread and centred, that's the way! Cutlery and Water Glasses first to join us for the fun, Centrepiece and Linen Napkins, now the Setting's all but done. But wait! the Dinner Plates are coming, Side Plates, Finger Bowls and such, Mr Table must be groaning at the weight, so very much! Guests arrive, jim, grace and betty, jim's wife, joan, and helen bond, helen's in an awful pickle, husband left her for a blonde! Everybody's here and ready for a night of merriment, cocktails and some conversation, Wow! Obama's president! Dinner's served, We get a workout, Tableware and good old Me, Salt, one of the main ingredients for a tasty ratatouille! Guests disperse and then there's clean-up, washing, scrubbing 'til We're done; Table's empty, We're left standing, Me and Pepper, all alone.