I wanted to be invited
To be given the chance to RSVP
So I could politely decline.
By invitation.
I am a gentleman, after all.
Say that I was pre-occupied that day.
There will be no plus one.
But thank you for the invitation.
That you put a lot of thought into
Putting me ahead of someone who could have made it.

Pick out the suit I would not wear.
Choose shoes that would not be for that day.
Because the distance is pretty great.
And my work has work of its own.
The secretaries have secretaries
It is so busy.
All of the hotels are booked.
Because of the concert that was yesterday.
They are staying for the tailgate for football.
Football’s not in season?
I did not mean that football.
I meant soccer.
Minor-league soccer.

You did not give me a chance to have a good excuse over the phone.
Maybe, just maybe you knew.
The types of excuses I would have.
And your day was more important than excuses
It required effort.
So I guess that somebody can make it after all.