A CHILD HEARS PROKOFIEV

Prokofiev's Fiery Angel

awakes to touch my dream

as Diaghilev's wishes

inspire the Ballet Russes

for this boy who memorizes

every distinguished melody,

Sitting in the balcony

hearing bells of winter

in his small ears

the timpani exchanges

from what it seems

as augmented notes range
from opera, ballet, and a story

of invented passion, possession

unloosing my own spirit

for his Muse's glory
as a future poet,

Later as a critic to discover
Bryusov's symbolist tale
from a dramatic libretto
in all literary,musical scales
of demonic expression
in a novel of sorrow,

Among the costumes

on diamonds and pearl

as thunderous male dancers
to fulfill their orgies,

picking up impressionism's
shyest girl.