After paying respect to the cook, we gawk.
Tongue-tied, we lack story or joke.
Eat and enjoy, says the cook. Talk.

No one ventures a squawk.
We can’t muster a question. We can’t even croak.
After paying respect to the cook, we gawk.

Reunited, why do we balk?
Why around the table happy faces choke?
Eat and enjoy, says the cook. Talk.

Food braced with spice. Dialogue deadlock.
Finally, Fred gives the party a poke.
After paying respect to the cook, we gawk.

Of his odd feelings, he makes a mock.
We make fun of ourselves. We go for broke.
Eat and enjoy, says the cook. Talk.

A gabfest unfolds, much to our shock.
We were asleep, but now we’re woke.
We pay tribute to Fred. We no longer gawk.
We eat and enjoy. We talk.