The Magician's Assistant

She was a Magician's Assistant,
Zoe, of white doves, decks of cards,
Spinner on a wheel.

She wore harlequin suits,
Incarnadine and xanthos bright.
She was sequined, spangled, lightly plumed.

Tonight was her big night.
The Palladium's velvet curtains
Would open on Zoe and the Great Tartini.

A fortune had been spent on a showy, new dress.
That afternoon, she had relaxed at Kew,
Psyching herself for the performance.

As she applied ruby lipstick and violet eye shadow,
She was tense and nervous, but still excited.
In the park, a London bag-lady mooched about.

Elsie was delighted to find a red dress.
Back at the Palladium, there was a yell, a scream.
But Elsie, the bag-lady, had never looked so good.
Curtain up at park bench !.