The True Gnat And The Wallflower Poem by Alice Kriel

It is the first course:
Caught in cutlery
most seem lost for words
Hope yet has some force –
A bit late you’ll be.
Waiting feels absurd.

Next comes some sea creature:
Caught in their trawling net
Muted by taunting thoughts
solitary feature
Strange wine flies to my head
I feel utterly caught.

Main course, and I realise:
We dance according to rigid rules
Smiles plastered over subdues screams
If we all would just leap to Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s Invitation
we might yet do something worthy tonight
If only they would listen,
help me break down the walls!

At dessert I put down my mask:
They will never comprehend
A gnat stuck to my silver
Some water, I want to ask,
but they would use it for your end
They murder you who pilfers.

Now it the time for the coffee:
Tears nearly spring to the white cup
a misguided rescue killed you
who died for a taste of toffee
You have taken the last flight up
There’s no-one left here to talk to.

Finally they bring some liqueur:
And as it burns down my throat,
something reminds me not to weep
You died striving for your only desire
they who would kill you, are not as brave
The miniscule held more fire than they could stomach.

Thus: I’d rather be a true gnat,
than a false aristocrat.