Plenty is
quite like too many
Tables full
of dirty
silverware left over from
uninvited quests
Who spilt wine
on my Aztec rug
Composure
is fleeting
My normally calm self - blown
Hors d'oeuvres hit the wall
Bourgeois
people fill my life,
with my heart’s
lurid fears
I must say, I’ve had enough
Could you all, please leave
Love it, Pamela! I know exactly how you feel: as a guest one has the power to leave, but as host, politeness prevents us from kicking them out. Except, that is, for an old friend of mine who appeared in a roomful of rollicking guests wearing her nightie at 3 am, saying "I've fed you, watered you, and amused you. Now it's my turn" and with that she grabbed her husband and took him up to bed!
ReplyDeleteViv,
ReplyDeleteI love that story, good for your friend.
We have had a few parties here and though people here are very well-mannered, well-educated they are so used to being catered to, so they can be quite obnoxious. Not all of them mind you, but there are a few. And the men seem to be the worst.
Has something to do with being coddled as children.
Pamela
Viv, great story!
ReplyDeletePamela, I suspect this will resonate with anyone who ever hosted a party. Wonderful expression of 'enough'.
Tilly,
ReplyDeleteIt is a great story, isn't it.
Thanks so much.
Pamela
Great poem! You painted the scene perfectly. I found myself smiling at the narrator's composure, and the polite way of saying, Get out! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Pamela. Enough truly IS enough@ We have had guests too who have hung around a bit too long. Even though I sit and yawn and yawn, they just don't take the hint. LOL. I have heard of people starting to turn off the lights. I love Viv's story.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured that exasperated feeling that takes over when people overstay their visit. The narrator shows such outward patience!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't figured out the shadorma.
ReplyDeleteNext party, start passing around cleaning supplies and trash bags when it is time to wind up.
Thanks nan and it can hard to keep one's composure sometimes. ;)
ReplyDeletePamela
Mary,
ReplyDeleteYawning, saying your tired, etc ... sometimes falls on deaf ears. Or maybe it is a language barrier ;) I loved Viv's story, too.
Pamela
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is all about patience. Thanks.
Pamela
Barb,
ReplyDeleteI played around with all week. The problem I found was keeping the flow with the 3/5/3/3/7/5
syllable count.
Good suggestion they would be aghast if I handed some of them cleaning supplies. I doubt that many people I know here know how to clean. Most of them have had live in maids all their life.
Pamela
Having lived through the 60's 70's and 80's with some very partying people, I can say I totally identify with the hostess here. There were times I actually went out and slept in the car. And I won't even mention when I lived next door to the fraternity! Enjoyed it, and didn't pay attention to the syllable count because you had to. ;-)
ReplyDeletehedgewitch well those must of been wild times. I remember high school days when the parents were gone, well we did have a wild time. But now that I am all grown up, things have changed. If you know what I mean. ;)
ReplyDeletePamela
Gotta love the holidays... funny ending there!
ReplyDeleteYes, the party season which around here is the "drop in" season. What do we do push people out the door & still be polite about it?
ReplyDeleteI've seen those 'enoughs' and they ARE. :) Delightfully penned!
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteThe holidays here become much worse. It can all be very funny.
Pamela
Marian,
ReplyDeleteI would never push anyone out the door. I don't live in the USA.
Pamela
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI think we all have. Thanks.
Pamela
This was a wonderful poem, Pamela. I can remember many parties where people didn't pick up on cues that it was time to leave. Your poem surely captures what it feels like in that kind of situation!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your poem Pamela. The post-party clean-up is a tormenting thought while guests still linger. Year end, and soon enough.
ReplyDeleteI liked all the full words ending the first few lines. Added to the tension nicely!
ReplyDeleteDiane they are everywhere. This form is new to me
ReplyDeleteI saw a few people use it during PAD and thought I would give it a try. It is restricted and hard to keep a flow going. Thanks.
Pamela
btw I have never thrown a plate against the wall, lol
Irene,
ReplyDeleteIt can be and will I am sure be happening again this year. I am glad you enjoyed it:)
Pamela
Deb thanks and I think the form did it as well.
ReplyDeletePamela
good one pam.....do not know if i would be soooo polite....thanks for sharing your words again
ReplyDeleteHate cliches but..."been there, done that."
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with the form but it flows nicely.
Pamela, this made me smile. I have a hunch that writing this one was therapeutic! I like that poetry can be helpful that way. Not familiar with the form and am off to look it up now...
ReplyDeleteA fun way of expressing a common frustration.I liked the line "Hors d'oeuvres hit the wall".
ReplyDeleteNice story in nice words, I love the end!
ReplyDeleteLove this ending!
ReplyDeleteastral music
Pamela this is awesome...for anyone that has hosted a party...they can truly relate...hope you have a wonderful weekend! :-)
ReplyDeleteHow perfectly honest, lovely!
ReplyDeleteWell Wayne I think it is best to be polite.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you.
Pamela
Victoria not an easy form to work with and get a good flow.
ReplyDeletePamela
Yes, Robin fairly therapeutic.:)
ReplyDeletePamela
Cara, like I told Diane I have never thrown a plate or any dishware against a wall. But the thought is delightful.
ReplyDeletePamela
scentofmyheart,
ReplyDeleteSee you over there and thanks for the invite.
Pamela
Thanks Gautami and I enjoyed this prompt.
ReplyDeletePamela
Carrie thanks and you do the same.
ReplyDeletePamela
Brenda, best to be that way, as opposed to the alternative. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePamela
i love this: "too many / Tables full / of dirty / silverware"
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolee I had a good time writing this.
ReplyDeletePamela
Oh, my... what a mess. I would be shooing everyone out, too! Thanks for the laugh = )
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the point when the party stops being fun. (Take it from me, it's even worse when you didn't really want to host things in the first place.)
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteHosting parties can be fun, but there comes a time when they can be tedious. Glad you got a laugh.
Pamela
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteSo true, my husband seems to initiate many of these get togethers. Though I have to really take care of most things clean-up, etc ...
Pamela
WOO HOO! That's telling them...
ReplyDeleteI love the irritation that comes through perfectly...
Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteIt can be quite irritating at time. Thanks.
Pamela
lols..there's always one guest who refuses to leave even if u keep dropping hints n sometimes outright ignoring them...good poem:)
ReplyDeletehoiden there is one in every crowd, lol.
ReplyDeletethanks.
Pamela
Great work- leaving now :)
ReplyDeleteDulce you can stay for awhile. :)
ReplyDeletePamela
(giggling)
ReplyDeletesb, me too!:)
ReplyDeletePamela
love it pamela!!! "..calm self blown.." it's always much nicer to be a guest than the hostess...
ReplyDeleteI love being a guest ms pie :)
ReplyDeletePamela