Wagner After Cosmetic Surgery

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

There’s nothing wrong with Wagner opera that

Some major surgery would not improve.

Declamatory singing from the fat

Voiced tenors, fat soprano notes help prove

My point.  In fact, the best way forward would

Be chopping of the voices from his plays.

The parts could be performed by brass and wood.

The Heldentenors would come out, each phrase,

 As mellow blaze of French horn beauty.  High

Sopranos could be trumpets, cornets gold

In vocal color.  Words could simply fly

In surtitle lights not in vocal scold.

  The overtures and interludes are fine.

    Orchestral glories in their bodies shine.

~ Phillip Whidden