Two athletes are running
just on the line of the strand
jogging one against the other,
trotting with the easy grace
of two nimble young dancers
of a second class show:
if this is the preamble,
i wonder what will be like
the seasoned soubrette,
clou of the show.
here there is no staircase
she can softly descend
bleating soft melodies
as weak as a French coffee,
among whirling plumes
and improbable fracs:
such a variety show
is so evanescent
that only a smart audience
is able to appreciate it.