Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DANCE FLOOR by CLARENCE MAJOR

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: BONE-THIN GENT
Bone-thin gent
in waistcoat and tight pants,
struts to stone-staircase music.
He is a saddled camel,
stepping high in high-top
shoes. This caravanserai
belongs to a fancy age
of waiters in bow ties,
ladies in bloomers
made in Palestine!
The genesis of his dance
expresses itself
as he kicks the ceiling
while turning cartwheels
for the Queen of Sheba
who watches him from
behind her Phoenician fan.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org


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