Helen and Cousin David
Can you recall when “party” didn’t mean
Cocaine and booze and sex? When what it meant
Was frilly frocks, and hitting red and green
Piñatas with giddy sticks, when kids bent
Near double, giggle-screaming, over “pin
The tail”? Can you remember party hats
And stupid paper bunting in the din
Composed of yelling happiness? Yes, that’s
What parties used to be. Potato chips
(Before fake substitutes), a giant cake
With decorations (Bunnies! Cars! or Ships!)—
Except one time the hostess failed to slake
Our greed for food, the most important part.
David asked, “When’s the party going to start?!”