Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TABLE D'HOTE by JOHN PAUL BOCOCK

First Line: TIS TIME - AH ME! - TO CHANGE MY COAT
Last Line: WELCOMES ME INTO SHADOW LAND!
Subject(s): DINNERS & DINING; FOOD & EATING; LOVE;
'T IS time — ah me! — to change my coat
And sally forth for a @3table d'hote@1,
Alone; although I'd love a Sally,
Alas, there is none in my alley.

Beaux-Arts — and bizarre, that's the kind
Of @3cafe@1 that I have in mind;
@3En avant@1 — by Shank's cabriolet,
One may meet Fortune on the way.

So, carelessly, I pass along
Musing, amid the bustling throng,
Until I reach the open door
Which welcomes me as oft before.

Here's Louis, with his best salaam:
@3"Bon soir, monsieur, et vous, madame!@1
You walked, you say? Then you will be on
Edge for the @3Saucisson de Lyon?"@1

So, while the fair white board is spread
With olives, @3radis,@1 and French bread,
A swift @3garcon@1, demure and neat,
Shall bring us Blue Points, @3toute de suite@1.

And, @3garcon,@1 a thin @3potage@1 bring —
Some sunshine bottled for a king:
A Queen shall christen it this night
With the red lips of love's delight.

A lobster, now, or else a fish,
Done @3a la Russe@1, in some small dish,
With truffles and a @3mayonnaise@1 —
My love loved lobster in those days!

@3Ici, garcon@1 — an artichoke,
Some reed-birds, or a ruddy duck
Done to a turn, so that the knife
Is followed by the stream of life.

The bottle's done? Woe worth the day
When sunshine slipped so fast away!
Another bring us — "Not too cold,
Nor yet too slender, nor too old."

That was the kind of girl who stole
Hearts, years ago! Yes, @3escarole@1,
And some cold chicken! sentiment
And salad aye together went!

A biscuit now; a @3demi-tasse@1,
A cigarette; a parting glass, —
@3L'addition!@1 So from life and light,
Alas, we pass into the night.

For, O fair Love that came to me
Out of the twilight, I shall be
Alone for aye — until thy hand
Welcomes me into Shadow Land!



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