After the Ball

By Silver Spun Sand

Fri, 18 Jul 2014
  • 772 reads
4 comments
 
“May I have the pleasure?” 
asks this debonair young man. 
“I’d be delighted!” I reply.
 
His face seems familiar.  A bit like 
my Jack, killed in action on the Somme, 
September, nineteen-sixteen; love’s
young dream, as we were then.
 
Gathers me up in his arms as the music
begins; a waltz, ‘The Blue Danube’
mirrored in his eyes; his sighs,
sweeter still than violins. Clichéd, 
yes, but an apt way to describe it.  
 
What rhythm, such panache!
He sweeps me off my feet,
then the band strikes up a polka,
followed by a foxtrot. Versatility
indeed; how well he takes the lead.
 
On the stroke of twelve, the band 
stops playing. My head is spinning...
I am short of breath.
 
He takes me home, farewell
in every step – for, as is said,
all good things have to end... 
Says it’s half-past my bedtime.
 
Helps me undress – takes off
my ball-gown; pink as I recall...
or it may have been blue.  Anyway,
a marshmallow affair, with sequins. 
 
He enquires, ‘Am I ready for my pills?’ 
“Nod twice for ‘Yes’, once for ‘No’,” 
he says – squeezes my hand, tight,
and dims the light.
 
No happy ever afters; he’s no prince
and I’m no Cinderella, yet, a heartbeat away, 
my golden coach awaits...and, in my time,
I sure did have a ball.
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Sweet dreams!
I'd been thinking about your piece about memories of your Dad trying to explain to his little girl the why's of wars sometimes having to happen, and was going to go back and read it again, but it's not there now. I seem to remember something like it some time ago. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Rhiannon, thank you so much for reading.  I'm pleased you enjoyed.  That particular piece you mention I have decided to work on, but I shall be reposting it anonsmiley  Your interest more than appreciated.

Hope you have a sunny weekend, and not too many thunderstormssad

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Love the way this folds back into the here and now. Sad at the end, but at least the ball was had.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

True, Bee...so very true.

Tina