Have I Gone Cannibalistic?

A Philadelphia resident and friend of mine turned 80 this past week. He and I are fellow poets. Pasqualle Varalo is quite a character. He makes me laugh and we both share loss of someone dear to us. His wife died ten days before my daughter, but that does not stop us from getting into trouble. I made his birthday cake for his large party in Philly this Saturday. He has called me several times to say thank you for my work of love. I also gave him a funny gift. I mean, what do you give an eighty year old who has or could have everything they already desire?

He is lonely, but I cannot help him there! I could not sleep one night, so I began to think of what I could say to him at his party. Should I read a poem? I would need to write one if I did. No, I would roast him. Surely his funny military buddies would come and we could all tell funny stories about him. That was it! But what else could I do? A performance piece of some kind? Yes!

I decided to take some rope, and a few other fun props. I had him come up to the front of the room. He had hired a band, so the dance floor area would work. I had him take off his jacket, he kind of acted startled. I had him sit down, and behind his back I pulled out the rope and showed the 100 guests and they started laughing. I began to tie him up. Then I pulled out some celery stalk and a bag of carrots. I said he was running around introducing me as Chef E, and how great I was, so I figured I was going to really 'Roast' him in the chef way...then I had him hold a potato and an onion. Everyone got into it and was laughing.

I told the guests how we met and a few stories, then asked if anyone else had something to say to him...he was tied up and not going anywhere! Many nice people came up and spoke to him. His sons and a woman read a poem she wrote for him. Also other friends and family came up. His youngest son brought tears to our eyes, telling his father how he realized the importance of their relationship in spite of his bad behavior all those years leading up to this date, so I know in the end I did a good thing.

Sometimes we may feel an idea might come across as uncomfortable, but in the end you will open a door for someone else. This was my birthday wish for Pasqualle. To have a moment he might not have had without my silliness.

Happy Birthday Pasqualle- I love ya!

Chef E