Mosquito Operas
by Philip Dacey

Juilliard Suite

1. Crescendo

The tiny
Korean pianist
got bigger
as she played.

2. Semibreve

The cellist’s toes
peek out from under her gown,
whole notes ready to be used
in an emergency.

3. Janacek

The breasts of the pianist
almost touched the keys.
The sound of decolletage.

4. Sonata

How the music distorts
the face of the cellist!
How the sisters
Ugly and Beautiful
love each other!

5. Before the Concert

High-fives exchanged
between two violinists.
Juilliard basketball
disguised as Beethoven.

6. String Quartet

Four cars at high speed
enter an intersection
from four directions
and without slowing pass
at the very center straight
into and through each other
before emerging completely
intact on the other side
and speeding on.