Category: Parties

It’s nice you should ask me; I plan to attend.
But don’t count too strongly upon it, my friend,
For experience has taught me one finds, if one tries,
Twixt promise and meeting, some rare alibis!

by Ray Romine Tuesday, March 24, 1953

Away from the racket; a zowie dust- jacket–
Into my slippers and I shall attack it .
That’s no reason, though–or is it?–
You should pick this night to visit.

by Ray Romine Saturday, February 10, 1945

At these drinking bouts on New Year’s
I might get farther if
(You’ll pardon the expression)
Competition were less stiff.

by Ray Romine Tuesday, September 23, 1952

Reluctantly I leave my chair,
My comfy, cozy, heated lair,
To venture forth in cold dark rain;
For it is party-time again.

I mouth unseemly threats, I frown
All the way across the town;
But once I’m there, and it is done,
Who, I ask you, has more fun?

by Ray Romine Sunday, December 2, 1951

Those parties where I must endure
The clown, the bore, or souse,
Are those affairs, dear friends, when
Ensconced in my own house.

Forgive me, then, if at yourplace
You’re bored while I make hey,
For here’s a fact we have to face:
Turn about’s fair play!

by Ray Romine Wednesday, October 18, 1944

I’m sure it was a huge success,
With food just short of Heaven;
But I couldn’t make it–flu, I guess-
I was in bed by seven.

I’m glad the speaker knew his etuff
(He came well recommended);
But friends dropped in and made me muff
The exit I’d intended.

I didn’t know which suit to wear;
I had to wash and set my hair;
I smashed a thumb;
I tore my shirt;
My tire was flat;
My arches hurt;
I had to work;
I broke a nail;
I helped a friend
Get out on bail;
And what we’d thought were harmless bumps,
Turned out on daughter to be mumps!

With all these tempting alibis
Conveniently before me,
Shall I, ignoring patent lies,
Just say, “These shindigs bore me”?

by Ray Romine Wednesday, May 2, 1945

Fiendishly,
Almost, I scurry;
Scare the Mrs.–
“Honey, hurry!”

Skip the buttons
That won’t show;
Shirt tucked half in:
Here we go,

To discover
(Such is fate)
Everybody
Else is late.

by Ray Romine Monday, August 13, 1951

I’ll flip a coin, nor hold my breath;
For, stay or go, I’m bored to death.

by Ray Romine Thursday, August 31, 1950

I hesitate to go tonight,
Although these friends of ours are right,
Who entertain with decor inescapable.
The issue that I see in doubt
Is just how long can I hold out
Against a hostess with a mouth so wholly tapeable?

by Ray Romine Sunday, December 31, 1950

When gatherings find me on time
It doesn’t indicate that I’m
A promptness stickler; no, it’s that
I like to hang my coat and hat.

by Ray Romine Saturday, January 27, 1951