Gershon Wolf Poet Sonnet

When the Party Is Over

The guests had all left; the band had stopped playing
   No more witty remarks, no more 'As I was saying'
Decorations strewn casually on the floor here and there
   Half-filled glasses of champagne's stale odor downstairs

We looked at each other; we managed to smile
   Surrounded by emptiness, crusted dishes in piles
Our heads still a-buzz from the night's gay repartee
   These aches in our joints, souvenirs of exuberant glee

Turn back the hands of the clock, O you Guardians of Night
   Nevermore burst forth rays of the dawn of morn's light
Play the music forever; let the champagne flow upstream
   Perpetuate laughter, delicacies dainty, and dreams

For memories dim, as events recede in Time's sands
   When the party is over, who will strike up the band


                       June 24, 2019
             After the Party Poetry Contest
               Sponsor: Anthony Slausin

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Michelle Faulkner June 27, 2019 at 1:48 PM This is a brilliant sonnet, perfect for the contest, here's hoping for a high placement! Gershon Wolf June 27, 2019 at 2:23 PM From your pen to the sponsor's ear, Michelle. Thank you for the support in the contest. Greatly appreciated. Best wishes, gw

Geoffrey Brewer June 27, 2019 at 6:35 AM A nice mixture of the positive acceptance and the sardonic - perceptive and witty - I like it, Gershon (No! Spellchecker; not ‘Gershwin’) Gershon Wolf June 27, 2019 at 9:28 AM Thank you so much for your generous evaluation of this write. How much do I owe you?!...And as for 'Gershwin,' I could do worse, by George. LOL. Thanks again, and best wishes, George Wolfwin

Caren Krutsinger June 25, 2019 at 7:06 PM I am glad you were still smiling. In some circles when the party is over, the fighting begins in earnest. "We looked at each other; we managed to smile Surrounded by emptiness, crusted dishes in piles" - loved this, because it is the one time that no one is cleaning plates out quickly. Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:19 PM Yeah, you're right. I hadn't thought of that. I just remember throwing big parties and being too exhausted afterward to get angry (or to clean up either). It was either smile or cry. Smiling only takes 6 muscles; crying and frowning takes 11. ~ Lazybones in Chicago

M. L. Kiser June 25, 2019 at 5:14 PM Most likely it will be a barking dog band with the moon as inspiration. Loved it. Good luck. Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:17 PM --Or, in my case, a howling wolf band with the moon as inspiration. Thanks for the suggestion. Great idea! :) gw

Ilene Bauer June 25, 2019 at 3:35 PM well done, gershon! best of luck in the contest. sounds like a winner to me! Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:17 PM Oh, thank you, Ilene! I do hope this one place somewhere in the contest. Who knows? Spin the roulette wheel. :) gw

Laura Leiser June 25, 2019 at 12:40 AM Great flow using the Sonnet form for the after party summation, Gershon! Love the humor, as well! Hope this does well in the contest! :) Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 2:35 PM Thank you for your kind words, Laura, and for your good wishes in the contest. Best always, Gersho

Lindsay Laurie June 24, 2019 at 8:50 PM Hello Gershon … nice easy to read and well rhymed verse with a moral to finish that many of us ask ourselves - Lindsay Gershon Wolf June 24, 2019 at 9:17 PM Thank you so much, Lindsay... In terms of the last two lines (who will strike up the band) -- Just have to start planning the next party! :) gw

Line Gauthier June 24, 2019 at 6:55 PM Wonderfully penned, Gershon. Line Gauthier June 24, 2019 at 9:16 PM Love the champagne theme. Gershon Wolf June 24, 2019 at 9:16 PM Line, you're just too nice to me. Appreciate all of your encouragement. Best wishes, Gershon