Delaware County Democrats Fundraiser

This afternoon I made my way through poison ivy and the crowd
Eyes panning my name tag and away
Milky arms fetched canapé
Blonde ladies grimaced or smiled at each other, I could not tell
In a reproaching voice they asked me to excuse them
No matter where I stood I would be in someone’s way
No sooner did I think up an elusive word than the circumstance expired
No longer excusable was our lovely teen angst, you and
Nowhere to dispose of this underage Yellow Label
I affected a face to receive edification and joy
You obliged in forbearing civility
We existed in and out of it selectively
No more wacky Pennsylvanians, we drove off in your red Honda
Having given nothing, having gained nothing.

Liwa Sun is a Chinese writer, poet, and a game-theorist-wannabe. Her works are forthcoming in The Bare Life Review and Seven Circle Press. She lets poetry contaminate her memory, in which she rejoices. She lives in Philadelphia with a small couch and mountains of books.