Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge
The greens and pinks magnetize to my eye
Like flowers abloom, in a field espied;
That overwhelms creation’s invention
With beauty of grandiose dimension
Shifting to the wind’s orchestrated movements,
And winks my soul agape by the performance
To be delighted by the extravaganza presented.
To see the hand, relax in the moment,
To take stalk and enjoy the portrayal
Of gist and frolic, smell and attitude;
Of the energys' projected stimulating
Living display on the cabaret flooring
As Mademoiselle Eglantine’s troupe,
‘Cancan’ dance in the Moulin Rouge concourse.
The mingling audience spreads for the revue;1
(As the orchestra sets for the debut)
Some still engaging in conversations
Of gossip, memories, and revelations.
While others’ attentions are directed
By the compère’s2 ‘faire une anonce’3 pointed,
To watch the duo in the middle of the room:
Legs kicking up and down! Their arms mushrooming,
And performing breathtaking splits easily.
Over here—turn—then over there quickly,
The dancers maneuver coordinating
With hat tilting and pantaloons flashing,
And the heels of their shoes chattering
On the planking. ‘Une brilliant interpètation!’4
I notice the woman in staunched aspect,
Styled in Parisian roseate bustle dress
And boa scarf and hat to compliment;
(Who looks out of place in this environment?)
Gazing downward to express disapproval,
To witness a scandalous interaction,
As if an aficionado5 attending
A burial, pretending concernment
For her presence in this establishment,
Of wealthy patrons with their courtesans,6
And francs7 to spare, courtesy of the ‘Bourse:’8
Or ‘cherche son mari’9 in the gala crowd?
Whereas my heart pulsates and leaps with joy,
And rhythmically joins the dancing couple.
***
Notes:
The original Moulin Rouge (Red Mill) cabaret opened in Paris, France on October 6, 1889, and burned down in 1915. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1921. The ‘Moulin Rouge’ is considered being the birthplace of the ‘Cancan dance’, and Jules Chéret (1836-1932) is known as the father of the modern poster.
1) revue: a form of theatrical entertainment.
2) compère: emcee, announcer.
3) faire une annonce: make an announcement.
4) une brillante interprètation: a brilliant performance.
5) aficionado: connoisseur, expert, pundit.
6) courtesan: prostitute with wealthy or upper-class clients.
7) franc: currency of France until the euro was adopted in 1999.
8) Bourse: French stock exchange.
9) cherche son mari: looking for her husband.
Copyright ©
Dennis Spilchuk
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