(With acknowledgments to Adam Flowers, who wondered what the Gershwin song would have been like had it been about Richard instead of Johann, and with apologies to Ira Gershwin.)

When I want a melody
Making neighbors grouse
Then I want a melody
By Strauss!

It slips! It slides!
It skids on the ice!
Blink and the key’s shifted twice!

First the strings are slithering,
Then a crazy leap!
Now the winds are blithering
Like sheep!

At last! A tune!
Ah no — spoke too soon!
Anything that’s commonplace:
Heraus!
How I love a melody
By Strauss!

© David Scott Marley