Dinner Bell

Collaboration with Zahra the Mysterious! ;) captcha "pejorism" go figure right!?

To love or to kill

is always the question

murmured at the table.

tell us a story you unsuspecting guest,

pass on the dessert, pass a smile,

 

Father, a large man of 50 yrs., use to

his ways and means. A controller extrematus, he

polishes his place at the head with his elbows;

red meat juices dripping render tallow wax.

Twelve others sit round the cherry wood 

in candle light.

 

Tale after tale, they know. 

(except one)

His stuttering collapses into hints;

The shivering of his hand signals all

and though both your hands are on the table,

they know something is there that you hide.

 

Mother sits across, quietly present in grace.

Her movement environmentally protected

like swans and albatross fly;

respect and obedience persists at the door.

There are ten children, maybe more.

 

(Mother watches his stuttering fingers)

 

She wears a chary smile,

it goes well with her tight hair...

she tells them a story too!

It's about a rabbit, perhaps...

no one knows for sure.

 

You listen, until the questions clank

like a dinner bell in the background yet loud.

(Do we pray for an answer, or for the lack of one)?

 

 

Shaking appearances denies

deluding a family of quills and

the tale is up ... darts loosed and barbs

begin the journey inward ... always inward.

working into the real meat.

A collaboration

Zahra and E.

03/16/2017

Author's Note

Reviews

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

You both did an amazing job very Melancholic and happy here very powerful piece and a lot of character very clever.

Nice it's been ages since I've
Collaborated with any poet or poetess
for that matter.


Shaking appearances denies
deluding a family of quills and
the tale is up ...

[Einstein Noodle]

working with Zahra is such a treat for me ..i am pretty open to collabs if you ever feel the call my friend ;) actually am working with my younger son on either a play or short story ... neither of us have done such things so it should be interesting .. thank you for taking time Benita .. very much appreciate it :) hopefully the many avenues for thought sparked some inspiration for you and any who read this ... its a bit on the oblique side ;)
E.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

Ah you mean the words in the poem being slanted nice enjoy that with your son I don't do plays only short stories but when you want to collaborate with me let me. You're welcome my friend 😊

[Neville]

seriously interesting, how could one not be..with so many possibilities.. I'm having steak for dinner and very rare indeed.......... congrats to both of ya, pulled it off to a Tee......... :)

[Einstein Noodle]

steak is good ....right off the bahbee ... i had forgotten all about this one .. what a treat it was to work on it with Zahra! thanks for all your walking down my lanes Neville .. its a blessing for sure ... yes ....... all kinds of possibilities ;)
E.

[Neville]

nothing like a good old meander mate... a super Saturday to ya too..N

[Einstein Noodle]

same to you Neville!

[Neville]

write on bruvva

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is so interesting & compelling. It reminds me of some of my own childhood dinners as the youngest of 9 kids & not quite grasping the mood of passive aggression that would pass as conversation around our family table. Your details are clear yet subtle, inspiring me to want to write something in a similar vein . . . the best feedback is to say you've wildly inspired me! *smile* This phrase is one I've never heard & is so perfect for some of my people: "controller extrematus" (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

ohh boy Margie! i can't wait to read your poem along these veins ... please let me know if and when OK? it has always been a pleasure to work with Zahra ... she is an original for sure ;) so glad you found this one and left your review my friend ...always treasured!
E.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Yes, I've been at that very table! Once again great collaboration yields masterful work. Great descriptive imagery and character analysis. Loved it!

[Einstein Noodle]

haven't we all ;) so happy you loved it! i think entire novels could be written at "the table" ... love and peace girl!
E.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Back at you E.!

[Moonie]

Who could have thought, you'd make sadness so delicious to read...absolutely loved the collab! There are so many great lines in here, I can't choose my favourite...love the metaphors...and how you left everything incomplete in a way...as though we were eavesdropping on them from afar, viewing them through a keyhole...there's a story, and we know that it involves a rabbit, but what is the plot, is that really about a rabbit afterall...we don't know the exact number of children...as though some of them might be out of our sight, shrouded in shadow..we can't view everything through this keyhole...it's just brilliant how you did this! Definitely going to my library! :))

[Einstein Noodle]

have to say again how happy it makes me to see your face around here again ..thank you so much for your insightful and sensitive read of this ...it is all we could hope for in a response ..thanks so much dear friend
E.

[Wajiha Nayeem]

sad and also wonderful to read...keep going.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Wajiha! it was such a blessing to work on this with the mystical Zahra ;) she was the one that was guiding this one! ;) love and peace!
E.

[andrew mitchell]

I wonder if we collaborated, two Sirs would make a write or just right lol!! Lovely work you two, a nice blend, the first line made me think of a who dunnit at the dinner table " to love or to kill"

[Einstein Noodle]

working with the mystical Zahra always inspires and educates me ... yes her opening line is pretty blunt ...killing hearts round the table spill words not blood most of the time thank goodness ;) i am always open to working with others sir... do you have something in mind? message me!
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

what a wonderful blending of two thoughts into one

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Cherrie! glad you enjoyed the read .. Zahra is pretty cool and spontaneous and never fails to inspire me .. love and peace
E.

[Sami Khalil]

A marvelous collaboration of talent and friendship. So many things happen at those tables. So many movements come across...Keep up the fine work...:)....................

[Einstein Noodle]

yes they do sir! lots of stories "at the table" ... your encouraging review is much appreciated
read moreyes they do sir! lots of stories "at the table" ... your encouraging review is much appreciated
E.

[Sami Khalil]

All true. You are welcome, sir...Any time...:)......................

[Papaya]

This one strikes me as quite dark, each family has stories and secrets and some are quite tragic.

Good work you guys.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes, my friend, a bit dark! such a joy working on it with Ms. Zahra tho ... isn't it wondrous ..being in poetry!? i am really glad you are active here once more Ana ..love and peace
E.