I’ve joined the Poet-Collab ring here at Diaryland, after I was inspired by Eloi. Inspired in a good way. Not a ‘I can do this better’ way. Just so you know, Eloi.
Anywhoo, here’s my entry. This months subject is TEA. I don’t know if I had to explain that or not. I’m totally just winging this, y’all.
No Title Yet
We share a secret language, my sister and I,
spoken only at parties, holidays,
and in restaurants, surrounded
by people who are unaware
even a single word has passed between us.
A subtle series of flitting hand gestures
head turns and nods, a few
caught lip movements.
We use only important words,
lest they draw attention,
words like ‘She’s drunk’ and ‘Mom’
and ‘Again’ and ‘Christ’.
Mostly we rely on light signals
with lips pressed tightly together
like the hands of apostles in prayer
A fluttered nod with eyes held up says
‘I know’
A quick shake with palm facing out
and eyebrows drawn together means
‘don’t say it out loud’
A futile open hand with shoulders hunched means
‘well what can we do about it’
A sideways glance says
‘nothing’ nothing’
We have these discussions
with none around us the wiser
our eyes big like the saucers which
belong to tea cups
filled with brandy and
Constant Comment.
http://poet-collab.diaryland.com
