The Artist

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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.

© William Carlos Williams