Black Tie Affairs - Behind The Veil Of Edwardian Silks And Sherry Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

Behind sedate appearances, facade,
Life carried on ignoring threats of war
As if genteel etiquette more and more
Could constitute some safety net. Brocade,
Kith, kin in ordained order well arrayed
Too often hid uncertainties in store,
Impressions maintained while flirt hid dirt on floor.
Expections, Empire, rich brigade,
Amid light table talk itself betrayed,
Fortunes dissipating, from its core
Fell rotten apples, all afraid to bore,
Awaiting Sarajevo, shell cascade.
In spite of surface gloss one class prepared
Revolts, spelled revolutions, few unspared.

Bloated few fled future's disarray,
Led undercover lives where years' tears, doubts,
Avoided challenging life's roundabouts,
Conventions stifling at odds with hearts astray.
Kinky Black tie affairs masked day-to-day
Trials and tribulations few dared flout.
Impressions hid internal demons, drought
Emotional disavowed to prey
Archly on time-worn love's interplay,
False pretense stiff upper lip throughout
Fêtes and fancies bluffing all about
As guilty parties sly denied dismay.
Infidelities and cummerbund
Raised silver spoons' praise, lazing, merit shunned.