At The Dinner Party Poem by RIC BASTASA

well we started with
memories, the funny ones, those that
fully reflect youth
and carelessness, the stolen kisses,
fear of pregnancies on their part
the saying yes and
opting for other possibilities
generalities nothing
about details yet

late
yes, the night was getting late
and we begin to
talk about those we are not supposed to
either because they are
too personal and
still affecting us
clouding reason and
objectivity
or still so painful and we focused on her
she just had a new set of teeth
her husband boxed her
and she had to resort to court
for protection
it is not a joke anymore
love, marriage, kids, brokenness,
beyond repair
irreconcilable differences
astronauts (joke)
needing more space
getting away
looking for openings
a new world perhaps
sighs
pauses, silences,
God passes through
she says,

teary eyed and sobbing
we listen

i feel as though i am a man
without a mouth
deaf, i want to be
and blind
these realities are not
walls
we are transported at the center
of her house
and we all catch fire
our bodies
flaming

we realize
when we close this party
as it is about
midnight and some people
wives, husbands, lovers
kids
must still be waiting at home

'pray more' my parting words
i guess as i drive my car alone back home
i am still
lucky.