Pas de Deux

Inspired by Edward Hopper's "Two Comedians"--an ephrastic poem

PAS DE DEUX

I. Paris, 1906

On the small stage of ambition
poor mimes jostle for position.
Beneath your tender, naked feet
I lay this heart, Pierrette, my sweet.
Today, tomorrow, your true clown,
faithful Pierrot by duty bound.
I promised to the moon above
eternally, you'd have my love.




II. Miami, 2006

At the Vizcaya, New Year's night
I catch your eye across stage lights.
Pierrot won't throw this chance away.
You slipped from me, just yesterday?
Love, a bombshell in a red dress,
ticking slowly till a caress
blows time to pieces, smithereens.
Pierrette, my muse, my whore, my queen.


III. Anyplace, Anytime

In the towers of ambition
workers jockey for position.
The washed world shifts like banks of clouds.
We reflect on what love allows.
Pierot/Pierrette, a final bow,
before the darkness takes us now.
What's left to us, this saving grace:
A pas de deux through time and space.


Author's Note: You can do a google search and find images of Pierot/Pierrette and Edward Hopper's paintings--"Two Comedians" and "Girlie Show".