Karen Greenbaum-Maya: Robert Shushed Me
(Or, how I learned not to applaud
between movements at concerts,
with apologies to Leigh Hunt.)
Robert Mann, of Julliard,
legendary violin,
raised his finger to his lips,
slowly shook his head, to shush me.
I was gauche, barbarian –
with a flick he could have crushed me.
He, who lightning could have hurled,
saw I sought a better world.
Down the tubes he could have flushed me –
Robert shook his head, and shushed me.
Say I have no use for rules –
say Fame stumbled, should she brush me,
say that Fortune smiles on fools! –
but say as well, that Robert shushed me.