Acrobats -- cruelly torturing muscles Which submit, even as they threaten retribution. An emaciated fool and a hard-faced girl in sequins Mock, with outworn quips, marriage and children. A Jew, with sensual simper, leads on four dancing girls -- Their bodies are beautiful, and fat men with small eyes clap loudly. A superb violinist plays -- and is encored twice -- He does not smile as he returns to bow. Birdland, with garish hangings, live cockatoos, and parrots screaming. A snow-white bird picks out the letters which spell the President's name. Gorgeous tropical kings hop and jump at the shrill command of a painted woman with false hair. Jazz, tearing at the nerves, announces two comedians. They dance without rhythm or grace. They joke without humor or wit. The audience roars! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOHN BROWN'S BODY by CHARLES SPRAGUE HALL THE LAST LANDLORD by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN IN AN OLD CEMETERY by LILLAH A. ASHLEY AN EVENING PRAYER by C. MAUDE BATTERSBY THE MAD SCULPTOR by WILLIAM ROSE BENET NO MORE DREAMING by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |