Artsongs: Two Harlequins (Picasso)

Nimble Harlequins

Where do they stand – these acrobats

     who bring the crowd delight?

Is it on stage with full applause,

     or waiting in the wings?

Perhaps they’re in a circus tent

     awaiting the next cue;

Or simply watching, biding time

     amidst the revelry.

The young one seems irresolute –

     his gaze is turned aside.

The older now is in his prime,

     and stands assuringly.

Their bodies are their livelihood –

     with movement they convey

The follies of the noble class

     while prancing on the stage.

They take us from our mundane world

     more quickly than a song;

And lighter than a butterfly

     they dance us into joy.

But for a moment they appear

     so nimble in their form.

And turning, all our cares are gone

     as they take center stage.

Now standing still, they take it in;

     they understand their role.

And we, still watching, find our place

     within the world anew.

                                                ~ CK

____________________________

Image: "Two Harlequins" at the Stephen C. Clark Collection, New York, NY
Artist: Pablo Picasso
Medium: Pastel on cardboard

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