The Wine Spectator by MarySusan Williams Migneault (c) 2007 revised 2008

Fine dining has its merits,
surely waiting was not one.

 

Perfectly seeded rectangles
with green-speckled cheese
barely passed as hors d’oeuvres
to hush my hunger’s howl.

 

For me, the table was too big �"
The salad much too small.

 

Across the room, to make it worse,
the wine’s uncorked plippety-plop
awoke my demon’s thirst.

 

The half-full redness glistened
with each hypnotic swish,
sipped slowly by a goddess nymph
who chatted with her beau.

The wheat-haired beauty’s voice
was louder than she knew.
He leaned closer in his chair  
to listen as if she whispered,
when others could easily hear.
  
Their laughter was contagious;
it bounced from there to here.
Then Envy raised its nasty head
blurring today with yester-year.
My heart sank and longing struck
for love songs left unsung.

 

Perhaps one sip … just one
could soothe my weary heart
and ease my discontent.

 

But I knew the hard-earned truth:
The tragic turn of the magic trance
red potions dragged me through.

 

I would not be the wine sipper
who dined across the room;
the sipping would turn to gulping,
while laughter would drown in tears.

No Silver Fox would gaze on me;
the gaiety would leave the room …

Fine dining would be over
before dinner was ever served.

 
But if luck would hold me up
I’d stumble towards the door,
my napkin left unfolded
beside the empty plate.

 

 

Reviews

[Genie]

Yes, the revisions work well! I just came back after reading it earlier, and it's much better. It was good before, now it's wonderful.

There are several layers to this, I think, and a lot of depth. Hidden stories of, perhaps, alcoholism? Likely lost loves and a dread of rehashing possibilities, especially while sitting as a single (been there, done that, and it's not fun at all). Lots of good images and metaphors, but the line about the tragic turn of the magic trance is stellar.

Good job! And welcome to the Cafe :-).

[Phibby Venable]

I don't see it as repetitive..
but..

Across the room; to make it worse
the wine's uncorked plippety-plop (sounds better to me, but its not my poem)

This is a wonderful piece. I enjoyed it. It touches
the reader & has a fine movement. Love the images. Good work!!

[Bubo]

across a crowded room.

across from my empty space?

Its the only thing in the 2 secs i have that came to mind..........but such a sad wistful piece, full of many images of a man being almost tortured, while wine flows and is enjoyed.
I need to read this again, but must go to work!