- The Dining Table: : Humour Poem by Alessandra Liverani

I have some friends, a man and wife
I'll tell you a bit about their life
So that you can get a grip
On what constitutes a relationship

I visited them a short time ago
Looked down with shock and had to know
Why their dining table's smooth veneer
Carefully protected for at least a year

With coaster, placemat for all food and drink
To not use such a thing would be unthink
Was christened with not just a little mark
But that there was an unsightly gouge in this bark

'What happened here? ' I questioned Sue
She seemed to have something else to do
I looked at Vince but he turned away
No information would he convey

I needed answers so back to Sue I turned
How this happened would be learned
Sheepishly she mumbled an argument began
Her anger built but she had a plan

To place her plate upon said table
With as much force as she was able
So that no damage would be done
But still make a statement, and the battle won

She didn't count on her husband's reaction
To be sure of complete satisfaction
His coffee mug had to smash down hard
And alas we have our table, scarred

(Sydney, Austrlalia - 2006)