Gently On The Shelf

The Death of the Party

At evening’s end
exaggerations
caricature

remain when all else
has long passed away

Conversation competition
cleverest victory can
circumvent the social hierarchy

Yet, age and experience
trumps youth’s insecurity

Humor—
the wild card

The catalyst
for social mobility

Older party-goers
establish the rules

Remember similar
defeats

Inadvertent misinterpretation
Reflects intention

Kevin Camp, 2006
all rights reserved


Inspiration:

"Death of a Party"
by Blur




The death of the party
Came as no surprise
Why did we bother?
Should have stayed away

Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf

The death of the teenager
Standing on his own
Why did he bother?
Should have slept alone

Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf

Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf