Above shining trees,-
If I in my north room
Dance naked, grotesquely
Before my mirror
Waving my shirt round my head
And singing softly to myself:
"I am lonely, lonely
I was born to be lonely
I am best so!"
If I admire my arms, my face
My shoulders, flanks, buttocks
Against the yellow drawn shades,-
Who shall say I am not
The happy genius of my household?
A brilliant ending to the poem. Williams brings the poem back to the beginning, reminding the reader that he is still the head of his household despite the previous moment of reckless abandon. He is able to play “contradictory” roles – Father and Freak, Doctor and Dreamer, Man and Maniac – because Williams measures manhood in happiness and passion.
Danse Russe