“When Year After Year I Receive an Evite to a Party Where I Know No One, Not Even the Host,” by Mary Lou Buschi (Poetry ’04)

2004 poetry alum Mary Lou Buschi was recently featured in On the Seawall. Read an excerpt of Buschi’s poem below:

When Year After Year I Receive an Evite to a Party Where I Know No One, Not Even the Host

 

The first year I didn’t reply.

I thought about replying.

The first year I thought maybe I did know them and I should go to the party.

The second year, I RSVP-ed “Not Attending.”

But I looked hard at every name on the Evite.

I thought I recognized one name.

The second year I was sure there was no one I knew.

The host sent 3 reminders to reply.

The third year there were pictures included.

Some were group selfies. I thought I saw my ear in one.

I respond, “What a great party.”

 

Read this poem in its entirety, as well as another, here: https://www.ronslate.com/abecedarian-and-when-year-after-year-i-receive-an-evite-to-a-party-where-i-know-no-one-not-even-the-host/