by E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings (1894 - 1962)
A Chorus Girl Matches original text
Language: English
When thou hast taken thy last applause, and when The final curtain strikes the world away, Leaving to shadowy silence and dismay That stage which shall not know thy smile again, Lingering a little while I see thee then Ponder the tinsel part they let thee play; I see the red mouth tarnished, the face grey, And smileless silent eyes of Magdalen. The lights have laughed their last; without, the street Darkling, awaiteth her whose feet have trod The silly souls of men to golden dust, She pauses, on the lintel of defeat, Her heart breaks in a smile -- and she is Lust . . . Mine also, little painted poem of God.
Composition:
- Set to music by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "A Chorus Girl", 2008 [ tenor and piano ]
Text Authorship:
- by E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings (1894 - 1962), no title, appears in Tulips and Chimneys, in 2. Chimneys, in 1. Sonnets - Realities, no. 6, first published 1917
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-03-07
Line count: 14
Word count: 113