Quartet

QUARTET A friend young like myself declined These concert tickets and here am I “Quartet” U of Indiana’s Department of music’s pride and joy I look about These are not the movie crowd No there is expectation Up down surround the hall Mrs. Guldergreen would never wear her furs in darkened places OH! She will be seen! Odd though the mixture – Sport shoes Dress shoes Some with ties No sport coat No vest The Guldergreens of past concert years would be simply astounded nearly in tears These days (say some) are thankfully different To appearance to senses become indifferent How then four tuxedoed proud men Now appear On stage No mics No woofers No swinging hips No four-letter words escape their lips AMAZING! ARCHAIC! GOOD LORD! After a bow a glance all around The four even now sit down The lights go down OH! dumb! Where is the drumbeat? Sounds that move the African tribes No one’s raising arms on high No earrings Nose rings No dancing around the aisles when the music begins But THEN! The UNIMAGINABLE! A strain so soft You actually hear the tick of your own wristwatch No equipment on stage but The air is electric Nor a breath Or sideways glance can break the spell Surely the walls by grey-sickness stricken Will crumble and fall At last the music swells All the while we have sat like statues Not knowing or caring Where we’re at A final chord Music is done They Indiana’s Quartet now rises as one Plaster people come to life On their feet Shouting Whistling I’ll be damned! There’s hope after all