ARLENE ANG

 

Offstage Sonata

You say:
Stravinsky is a transvestite
banging old Bach's clavier.

I believe you.
After all, the moon is Lambrusco
spilling through harp strings.

For argument
I half-quote Leopardi:
You have to realize the Devil
is Eros limping backstage.

You nod in return.
You understand, of course:
Paganini fractures
his fingers taming the violin.

previously published in Porcupine Literary Arts Magazine (Fall/Winter 1998).