On The Rocks Poem by Kevin Marley

It was a very festive occasion

as guests came barreling in

from who knows where?

drinking beer,

arguing

joking

conniving

whispering sweet nothings

into each other's ears

as Everybody was looking for that

very special and elusive Somebody

(who was nowhere to be found!)

as we firmly shook hands

rubbed elbows

and sometimes noses

(andtummies

and even toes)

laughing, but still feeling alone

at this crazy party

crowdedintonothingness—

as wine soothed throats

and the frolicking laughter pitched in

shrill notes

that echoed from wooden rafters

to sprinkle this...

this celebration

in the lighthearted dress of dazzling glitter,

which left so many guests obsessed

in this wake of hollow unrest

that all was declared illusory!

as a fomenting darkness

besieged in lieu of an unveiling mystery.



"Drinks! " and "More drinks! "

became the stubborn cry

until a Venetian blind was opened and

a stupor of soberness suddenly befell everyone

as a half-asleep soul

wondered aloud,

"Just what is this all about? "

with someone then fainting

and another crying out,

"Is there a metaphysician in the house? ! "