FORD MADOX FORD'S DINING

Blue gentian shirt worn
by the tea cupped noon
you ask to hear Beethoven
or leitmotifs,only something
German on the Dresden piano-
the sun tears in
from the jalousie windows
you place of napkin
four square before your plate
interwoven with leek and schnitzel
carefully folding your black tie
and stare at the firedogs
speaking of Conrad and the sea
volunteering to sign after dinner
the latest novel centered
in the ghastly first world war.