On George Gershwin's birthday, a poem by David Shapiro:
Pop Cento: Theory and Praxis
In theory, it
was a foggy day. In
practice, spring is here.
In theory, blues
in the night. In practice, that's
America to me.
In theory, I was twenty-one. In practice, I let my golden chances pass me by.
In theory,
lullaby of Birdland. In practice, they can't take that
away from me.
In theory, it
was a very good year. In practice, all of me.
In theory, a woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing. In practice, the sun
was shining
shining shining shining everywhere.
In theory, Kol Nidre. In practice, mammy, my dear mammy.
In theory, I’d
walk a million miles for one of her smiles. In practice,
let's call the whole
thing off. Come rain or come shine.
— David Shapiro (7/ 18 / 09)