Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Small Talk


For Three Word Wednesday, prompt words backfire, embarrass, taste. Also submitted to dVerse OpenLinkNight.

Small Talk

The room was decked
with holiday cheer, full
of strangers sipping drinks
and tasting tiny hors d’oeuvres.
Having never learned the art
of mingling I stood in a darkened
corner, but he found
me anyway.

 “So, what’s your
career path?” He leaned
in close, talking over the
pounding backfire
of dance music.
“I’m on my way
toward death,” I said.
He backed away, embarrassed.
Or frightened. No one ever laughs
at my party jokes.

32 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Well . . . somebody laughs! Thanks Sheilagh.

      Delete
  2. With a chat-up line like that... no wonder you said that...!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stan, it's fun to give people more than they expect.

      Delete
  3. Oh, what a suave diplomat you are! Funny, yet squirmingly familiar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marina--I'm always the life of the party.

      Delete
  4. haha...i would def. love to do some party smalltalk with you...def. outside the lines and that i always find refreshing...haha...still laughing...you should see how hard..smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Claudia, I really can talk it up pretty good as long as I'm interested in the subject. Glad I could make you laugh!

      Delete
  5. haha... I'm laughing, you smart ass, you. = )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another one laughing! How come I never get that response when I say that line in person? Maybe it's my stone-cold delivery, Eastwood stare, and general unkempt appearance. Thanks Laurie.

      Delete
  6. smiles...arent we all you know....each day a step closer...ha...i love messing with people though...funny...i have to wonder at time how much people really want to know...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brian--death is a great party topic, one of the few things we all have in common.

      Delete
  7. Ha! Now this is one I must remember! (And will.) Well done. k.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karin--I hope you get a chance to use it.

      Delete
  8. We're all on our way toward death. Some a bit faster than the rest. No joke.

    Great use of three words. Please read my attempt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alice. Death is something we all have to face--unless, of course, the Rapturists are right. I'd rather go out in a fiery chariot ride, like the Prophet Elijah, but I'm not betting on it.

      Delete
  9. That was quite a response...no wonder he backed away ..ha..ha...

    Nice to see you at the Pub ~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Grace--for a (supposedly) nice guy, I sure know how to repel people!

      Delete
  10. Well I laughed out loud. Luckily I was by myself. You can't really enjoy life until you realize that one day it will be over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rob. I agree. Live every day to the max!

      Delete
  11. Nico, I laughed outloud too. I think one has to be of a certain age and frame of mind to find this funny. I am both of the age and frame of mine. I'd enjoy chatting with you at the party. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary--I think having a twisted sense of humor has something to do with it as well!

      Delete
  12. Nice. Certainly off-putting to the party animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cosmo, I almost titled this one "The Party Pooper," or "Why One Should Never Ask a Smartassed Poet What He Does for a Career."

      Delete
  13. LOL...What were you wearing? No no please no!:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks R.--why, I was wearing my Grim Reaper outfit, of course.

      Delete
  14. I had to chuckle! I loved your response and also relate to discomfort in such situations. Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Beth--I get along pretty well with anyone, but I dislike feeling forced to get along!

      Delete
  15. I do hate 'smart-alec' questions, from smarmy types at parties or other gatherings. Over here a popular question is: 'What is your speciality?' I usually reply: 'Avoiding dumb questions!'

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm not particularly fond of small talk either; I prefer to seek out the corner. I might just have to see if I can fit that line into a conversation. I may not have laughed, but this definitely put a smile on my face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks RMP--I can fake interest pretty well, but I'm usually right there in the corner--watching and thinking up good one-liners.

      Delete