The Artist

Mr T.

           bareheaded

                           in a soiled undershirt

his hair standing out

           on all sides

                           stood on his toes

heels together

           arms gracefully

                           for the moment

curled above his head.

           Then he whirled about

                           bounded

into the air

           and with an entrechat

                           perfectly achieved

completed the figure.

           My mother

                           taken by surprise

where she sat

           in her invalid's chair

                           was left speechless.

Bravo! she cried at last

           and clapped her hands.

                           The man's wife

came from the kitchen:

           What goes on here? she said.

                           But the show was over.