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Poems - by Orbler

Poems - July 2008

How To Get On In Society by John Betjeman

July 4th 2008 05:17
How To Get On In Society
by John Betjeman

john betjeman
John Betjeman


Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.

Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.

It's ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule's comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me

Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know that I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?

Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I'm afraid the preserve's full of stones;
Beg pardon, I'm soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.

Review in Poem by Dexter

Social etiquette the cultural stigma,
Restricting behaviour in order to assimilate.
Dictating civilizations comforts,
Programming at infancy, conditioning choice.

A diatribe of conceit, framed by geographical borders,
An illusion of advancement and worth.
How to sit, how to eat, how to walk, talk and play,
Some eat with their hands, burping after a meal.

Primal lessons replaced by neutered development,
Does this really make us more advanced,
Freedoms of maturity negated,
Judgements made are they rules, lessons or laws?

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