We gathered for a dinner
At Straits Cafe.
A strange assortment…
The odd few.
They… soon to be married
He… the Minister
She… the Bridesmaid
And we two.
We all set sail together
Amidst anticipation
Our evening’s purpose
Quite mysterious.
She was young and jittery…
He bored us all…
Arguing endlessly …
I sat up very straight.
She told me I looked pretty…
He said his prayers were answered…
That I was slim and lithesome…
Then the sea got choppy.
The conversation faltered
Our captain was distracted
And the first mate disappeared
We were new
An untested crew
Who knew
What to do?
And then the flurry flattened…
The dinner stale and torpid
Endlessly dragged on
What now…a breeze!
The check arrives…
Then disappears…
At last, meal is over.
We finish amidst hugs
And promises to meet again
Mercifully we are released …
But still confused.
– jml (1999)
