One could be a conductor
waving a baton, giving cue,
or a general ordering troops
into battle, or a French cook
signalling le temps de manger.

À table, or " At Table " is as an
important announcement as
anything the town crier has to
offer and one dares not preempt
or presume an advance occupation.

Yes indeed, beds are important
we are born in them and die also,
the times in between we are mostly
asleep, tables are different despite
having the same amount of legs.

We sit together, talk, listen, debate
dispute, but at all times respect,
because no meal deserves to be
tarnished by the vinegar of verbal
or vainglorious vulgarity.

Tables are for hiding under when
sirens sound and shaking shelves
containing crockery vibrate or
where a drawer with a wooden
****** contains the plaster box.

Tables occupy a space in our minds
and in our kitchens and no other
piece of furniture ever challenges
that right to be there, chairs get
close, mere pawns of the periphery.