Cocktail Tray
March 31st, 2007Save as PDF
Cocktail Tray
After Sunday’s bread and wine,
another sacrament–
Brie and crackers
and cocktails on a silver tray.
My father is the celebrant
my mother roasts the sacrificial lamb.
The minister drops by often
for a second service.
On the tray glint scotch and bourbon.
Crystal glasses capture and fling back the light
so miniature stained-glass
rainbows glow along the walls.
At church I am an acolyte
attending confirmation class.
There I learn how Anglicans pronounce
the special language
of the Book of Common Prayer.
At home I pass the drinks,
anoint the crackers with a dab of Brie.
Across his scotch my father’s veined blue eyes
inspect me and I feel the fear of God.
My mother enters from the kitchen –
the roast is ready.
We seat ourselves at table
and worshipfully watch my father
as with gleaming instruments
he carves the fragrant oozing lamb.
“My fork is raised,” my mother says,
and we celebrate the mass.
March 31st, 2007 at 7:42 am
Perfect conjuring of a 50’s wasp household. Gives me chills. Nice work.
March 31st, 2007 at 9:07 am
I loved it! Just printed several copies to share with my Episco-pals!
March 31st, 2007 at 9:10 am
Didn’t we go to the same Episcopal church? Good Anglican tunes. A smugness without the discomfort of really needing to believe. Only needing to behave well. I remember Sunday lunches when a guest clergyman from St James the Less would be at our family table (table of a regular churgoer, giver and believer of I know not what). I don’t recall the sherry. I do recall being listened to by parents and the guest. The veigned blue eyes of you dad were probably registering pride in this fine young carrier of drinks. But how could anyone possibly know.
Been on and off with your poems, John. But always find something very real and worth thought. Thanks.
March 31st, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Yes, –the “after service” didn’t they even call it?– had to be immortalized. Did they move across the street from the church in order to facilitate those gatherings or did they have them because they lived across the street?
Anyway you’ve caught the details spot on. Not to mention the excruciating atmosphere.
Well, to think it was all to supply material for future poetry!
Keep ‘em coming– we’ll exorcise those demons yet!
April 9th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Always loved your focus on meals - you never let me down!! And to combine religion, food and discomfort - perfect. Lots here to discuss on your next visit .
April 29th, 2007 at 8:57 am
i’m glad you capitalized Brie but why not Scotch? hey, at least i’m reading them. trying to catch up after long time away - saw Chick Davis in Naples but not Lisa, she had the vapors.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Hi John-
Checking out your website for a friend I want you to meet.Loved Cocktail Tray but have never been there, never done that, might say like visiting a foreign country. Don’t even recall liquor in my house-though today a different story. Passover wine of course and perhaps I should be writing about the Passover lamb-though chicken was cheaper -and the unruliness of the Passover seder!
See you soon!
Joan
July 26th, 2008 at 8:50 am
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