GIF poetry by hiromi suzuki
Sweet Painted Lady
Music by Elton John / Lyrics by Bernie Taupin I’m back on dry land once again*1 Opportunity awaits me like a rat in the drain Yes, I understand this tune is sung about sex workers. The sailors back from the sea go to the harbor brothels in the night to meet “the sweet painted ladies.” The painted lady is well-known as a very colourful butterfly. The wings are beautiful and have patterns of four small eyeballs on the back. When I shut my eyes and listen to Elton’s song, I can hear the chilly wind roaring, and the whispers of joy and sorrow swirling in the city at midnight. This tune evokes the music style played by Noël Coward at the supper club. My sweet painted lady, the one with no name*2 must have danced to the piano strokes delightfully. Of course, Elton John is playing the piano. Quotations from the song: *1, *2 |
hiromi suzuki is a poet, fiction writer and artist living in Tokyo, Japan. She is the author of Ms. cried - 77 poems by hiromi suzuki (Kisaragi Publishing, 2013), logbook (Hesterglock Press, 2018), INVISIBLE SCENERY (Low Frequency Press, 2018), Andante (AngelHousePress, 2019). Her works have been published internationally in poetry journals, literary journals and anthologies.
Website: hiromisuzukimicrojournal.tumblr.com |