Party Lines

This one started with some lines of conversation overheard at a recent party and then cast in a different context. It is not meant as a representation of the people who said a few of these things.

                                                             Party Lines


                                              “Squirrels are the spawn of Satan,”
                                              my neighbor maintains while
                                              eating some banana trifle.
                                             “Nothing but fluffy-tailed rats.
                                              Nipped off my tulips, one-by-one,
                                              without even eating the petals.”

                                              “It’s the stem that has the nutrition,”
                                               his wife explains,
                                               then smiles at the other guests.
                                              “Even squirrels have to eat, I guess.
                                               This salad is wonderful, isn’t it?”

                                              “No,” her spouse objects,
                                              “ it’s beauty they can’t abide.
                                               Why else do they always attack
                                               the flowers and leave the weeds alone? ”

                                              “And who made the quiche?”
                                               the wife inquires.
                                             “ Mine always turns out so dry.”