There Was an Old Lady

There was an old lady
No, she didn’t live in a shoe
Nor did she swallow a fly,
But she looked like the Pigeon Lady
In Macaulay Culkin’s Home Alone 2
Except that she had cats
Two cats that sat with her
Day and night on their cardboard mat
Across from the grand Palais Garnier
Possibly getting sick of the sounds
Of opulent operas and ballets
But safe from falling chandeliers.

There was an old lady
Under the gaze of Apollo and Pegasus
And other famed giants and spectators.
Her placard for monsieur et mademoiselle
Nobody wants to read or have time to read
For they’re in awe of the greatest of the greats,
Entranced still when they step out of the theatre
With The Phantom or Romeo and Juliet
Still luxuriously ringing in their ears.
24/04/2025/OperaNationalDeParis