The Soft Shoe

Sondheim insisted
On a distinction
Between song lyric

And the lyric poem.
Maybe what he knew
Was not to compare

What he was doing
With successful work
In cousin art forms.

That could destroy you.
Choreography
Doesn’t make all dance

Ballet or ballroom.
Practicing quiet
Shuffle and soft-shoe

Alone by the road
Isn’t an effort
To open a show.