the 1965 Tupperware Party

my mother, in order

to have

a few more

bucks to raise her seven children

would throw

Tupperware

parties.

we'd watch from the top

of the stairs, taking

it all in.

she'd make tea and small

sandwiches,

cookies to start it off.

before long

the house was

full

of women from the neighborhood

looking for a small

plastic

container

with a red top

to store away their leftovers.

midway

in the party, my mother

would start

making cocktails.

Manhattans

and martinis, and would

put some music

on the stereo.

Sinatra and Dean Martin,

Bobby Darin.

Chubby Checker doing

the twist.

everyone lit up a cigarette

and

dancing ensued.

she sold everything

by the end of the day.

once more, by the skin

of our teeth,

the electric bill got paid.