poem dedicated to Sidney Bechet, a jazz musician.
Stanza one: 'like New Orleans reflected on the water'. - city of music, especially jazz, the fantasy land. - where Bechet was born along with the era of jazz. - as far south as you can go before reaching the water.
Stanza two: 'Quarter Of balconies, flower-baskets and quadrilles, Everyone making love and going shares - everything is perfect, very idyllic setting.
stanza three: 'Oh, play that thing!' - appreciation
'sporting-house girls like circus tigers' - prostitutes, animalistic connotations, degrading and sexist.
'Priced far above rubies' - very expensive
Stanza four: 'scholars manques' - they would have been scholars. they're unfulfilled in their lives and dreams, they are obsessed with jazz music. they're practically.
'wrapped up in personnels like old plaids.' - audience engrossed in the music.
Stanza five: 'on me your voice falls as they say love should,' - Does he not know what love feels like? has Larkin ever been in love? Paradox Larkin loves the sound of music but has never been loved.
Stanza six: only has two lines - 'And greeted as the natural noise of good, scattering long-haired grief and scored pity. - the overall poem has a theme of jazz not only in the context but also in the structure of the poem.
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