Visited the Whitney

Visited the Whitney*

For the Hoppers – what a treat!

A gathering of works with which

Few artists can compete.

 

Yet in a separate little room

A different treasure lay –

A film of “Calder’s Circus”

With its figures on display.

 

For Alexander Calder,

He of mostly-mobiles fame,

Put together, out of wire,

And deserving of acclaim

 

Every animal and acrobat

That we’d expect to see

At a circus, bringing them to life.

(At least, he did for me.)

 

With a twinkle in his eye,

He made the dogs and horses prance,

While the trapeze artists flew

And Fanni did her sexy dance.

 

There’s an elephant and lion

And a strong man and some seals,

Every figure bringing laughter

And how-did-he-do-that squeals.

 

Though I went to see the Hoppers,

I was thrilled with them, despite

Thinking Calder’s wire circus

Brought to me the most delight.

 

*The Whitney Museum of Art, Manhattan,

which currently has an Edward Hopper exhibit.