"Step up close, gents! This little lady will Now do the dance that John the Baptist lost His head for; yea, and many a head it's cost A many a John since. Just a bit of skill With muscles, and take note her hands and feet Remain unmoved throughout the tomtom's beat. The lady will retire, the band will play; One dime, one thin ten cents will pay the way." With furtive glances at the passing crowd, Their thick blood riotous with drum note, skin As red as beets, the old men enter in To regain youth; while young boys curse aloud Their tender years and stake all on the chance They will look adult in Big Brother's pants. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DAY AND THE WORK by EDWIN MARKHAM SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELIZABETH CHILDERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE WANDERER: A ROCOCO STUDY (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS LONGING FOR HEAVEN by ANNE BRADSTREET THE DESCRIPTION OF COOKHAM by AEMILIA (BASSANO) LANYER |