Musical Things

These are musical things:

no-one talks,

when they can sing.

Mitzi’s jeep drives over backlot sand,

My favourite Martian plays a hero:

Miming all in front of painted mimosas

and someone’s idea of Bali Hai.

Stanley Kowalski in a suit,

staring down no-one’s idea of a

starch-uniformed, stuffy Sister,

while Stubby has the best song.

Jumpin’ Gene’s best dance partner -

just an umbrella, though Donald gets close -

Jean’s leaner Lina acts them all off screen:

look close for Cyd and Rita on their way up.

And all the dubbed voices,

and all the strange men,

and all the bitter women

make magic despite themselves.

These are musical things,

foolish things:

unreal and sublime.