deipnosophist deficit
deipnosophist deficit
the family sat around
the well-set dinner table
every evening
erect
shoulders back
elbows tucked
forks held correctly
in the right hand
mouths closed while chewing
mouths closed unless spoken to
mouths closed
mouths closed
mouths closed
no wonder they never knew
FYI: (daip-NOS-uh-fist) noun: One skilled at dinner-table conversation.
8 thoughts on "deipnosophist deficit"
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Funny poem about something very sad–right in your wheelhouse, Catherine.
I’m a near-deipnosophist, by the way. Good one on one, not so good with groups, especially when they were my own family.
I love you more every time you speak. I’m grateful for your being in my world.
You always deliver that perfect balance of dark humor with family trauma. And in so few words. Thanks for getting my LexPoMo reading time off to a good start this year!
Thank you Jay. I hug you to the end of our time.
You are a true wordsmith!
I wish I were so eloquent in reality.
Oh, lordy. You speak to my childhood. Thank you!
I love discovering these new old words–the way you tell stories with them gives them kind of a new tangible meaning.