i accompanied oscar scott to the train station

to meet john philip sousa

and bring him to the auditorium

to play with his band of eighty musicians.

i handed mr. sousa a bouquet of flowers and

the key to the city,

which he accepted grandly.

the band played nine numbers though they

had just three hours here in town.

they gave a full concert,

and a number of encores,

all mr. sousa’s compositions.

they saved for last

stars and stripes forever

and took the house by storm.

harvey held a seat for me.

but

i watched the concert from the wings,

as mr. sousa’s guest.