A place setting for one.
A wedding gift from mother.
Old Master Silver,
Arabia of Finland China.
Pressed glass salts and goblet.
Canterbury glass for the bud vase,
and finally the Ivory Damask Linen,
makes a cover for your hospital tray.
It is your granddaughter's conspiracy
and your doctor
is to be the mater de
and the nurse a starched waitress.
With a wave of my magic wand
the boiled chicken
becomes Veal Marsala.
The Jell-O is pears and cheese,
and the orange juice a fine pinot noir.
The string beans
become tender asparagus shoots.
There is a bright red rose
in the bud vase
the lights are low
and a candle lit.
But, you say you are
still a hospital room.
Hang on!
We can fix that too.
Your bed is
a flying time machine.
Off to the Cotton Club for the jazz.
Or to a toney Victorian
in New York for a regal banquet.
Maybe a simple pioneer woman
getting out her wedding finery?.
We can do no more until aunt Maud
gives the second setting.
Then a hint of lavender
and a setting for two.
You will never be
left in a cold, white room.