MASTERPIECE #3492

/// High-brow music is being played there.
“Musique Savante,” which some cannot bear.
One man yawns— finds it boring.
In his seat, Serge slumps snoring.
(He’s alert at the Folies Bergère.)

/// Cultured women in elegant frocks
sought good seats in a prominent box.
Though their men aren’t keen,
they came here to be seen.
Then Guillaume makes a painting that mocks.

/// Serge’s wife is seen rolling her eyes.
His behavior is not a surprise.
The fine arts are a waste
to a man with poor taste,
but he’s wealthy, so she won’t chastise.

/// Through her lorgnette a shocked woman glares
at the snorer, who sleeps unawares.
When “the fat lady sings,”
rudely roused, up he springs
and, unthinking, he stridently swears.