Eat, drink, and be merry.*
Never decline an invitation to laugh with friends.
The kitchen may need cleaning,
laundry may be piling high,
and deadlines for filing tax returns are near; but
An in-law just passed unexpectedly,
an old co-worker/friend’s now in chemo,
bombs are dropping here and there,
and AI is out to get us, per a new doc.
Bars are still open and still have open mike nights.
Drinking, driving (not concurrently,) are affordable,
and tables that seat a dozen haven’t been burned
yet. Our friends are back from warm places, ready
to share stories, music, and laughter. We can use
them to fill despondent empty spaces with color.
May our bonhomie welcome them home tonight.
Never decline an invitation to laugh with friends.
Tao-Talk 
That is one invitation I would not decline – life is short and we need to enjoy special times with friends and laughter is so uplifting. Love this one…
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“Party hardy, rock n roll, drink a fifth, smoke a bowl”….a friend of mine left this quote in my HS yearbook back in the day. Your poem’s sentiment reminded me of that. i loved it, there’s nothing that can’t wait when a friend’s invitation has arrived…
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“Party hardy, rock n roll, drink a fifth, smoke a bowl”….a friend of mine left this quote in my HS yearbook back in the day. Your poem’s sentiment reminded me of that. i loved it, there’s nothing that can’t wait when a friend’s invitation has arrived…
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I really like your opening and closing lines.
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Wise words.
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This is an instruction that should be easy to follow, but you show with examples how we throw obstacles in front of it —and how not to! Our world has such need of the “bonhomie” you prescribe, Li. May we “never decline an invitation to laugh with friends.” 🤗❤️
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Thanks for recommending The Long Game, as I thoroughly enjoyed that, Lisa.
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yes indeed
much love
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