At the patio dinner, tea, cake, biscuits
have been served
by the house's servant staff.

A man in whiskers smokes a cigar, burps
ashes on his swollen belly.

The hostess is tied up
by a pleated dress
that holds her breath.

She paces around to check
the guests' well-being
with a pasted smile.

Children sit mannerly
like figurines with heirs' right
and dressed in their best clothes
that hinder them to play.

At the warfront are men
dressed in mud,
who are sipping mustard gas
and play dead.