The Situation

by Christopher Woods

May this dinner last long

with clever retorts and laughter

as we linger over the courses -

smoked salmon, onion soup

that leads to the goat cheese salad

before the roast rack of lamb

that precedes the creme brulee.

May this dinner go on for hours

and the wine be consistent

in quality course by course

let us savor every flavor

as we appreciate the moment,

the subtle art of fine dining,

May this dinner last very late

into the luxurious starry night

so that we will never have time

to discuss the situation at hand.