Hick: 

“Seeing paintings by Beckman and Matisse,

one understands the S/M dance

of Germany and France

a little better, ‘eef yoo pleece.’ ”

 

Willie:

“All the kids seem to love Monet—

and if someone insists on trumpeting him, well, I say, heck, let her!

But I’ve always liked Manet a little better.

Now I’m older, I can feel this way.”

 

Hick:

“But that Rembrandt—whew!

And maybe even better as an engraver!

Not that I’m trying to enter that critical palaver.

His paintings are real sharp, too.”

 

Willie:

“You know I’m a fan!

And, reading this timeline here—

poor bastard rarely caught a break, in his career.

He rocks, man!”

 

 

Hick and Willie On An Arts Panel

Hick:

“Wow, thank you, that’s a real

striking analysis!

Let me ask my fellow panelists

how they feel.”

 

Willie:

“What a great point!  ‘Clouds pass and the moon

appears’!  Almost like an open book,

isn’t it?  Oh, darn it, look—

almost time for us to give up the room!”

 

Hick:

“Wait—we have to take one more?

Okay—yes, you in the back—

between the woman who looks like a crack

ho, and the insufferable boor.”

 

Willie:

“Whaaa?—though this room is small,

I can barely hear—

say again?  Oh, I see.  It’s clear

you want the poetry panel, down the hall.”