I Will Never Dance

The floor is marble, polished gleaming black
And in it move the shadows of a hundred sparkling gowns
Accompanied by suits of courtly trim.

And I, I stand aside, twixt marble colonnade
To watch: the ever moving, perfect stepping flow
And flawless, smiling faces beneath the chandeliers

Of those who dance to melancholy music:
A tune of faded roses and anguished, fever dew*
Which swirls about the lofty, dreamy room

Intoxicating, wreathed about the twirling shadows
Who dance, change hands, and dance again
And waltz until the candles flicker low.

While I’m already in my dreams – asleep,
The candle light goes out, and darkness quickly falls
Across the dancing hall, and music fades

And broken pairs drift silently apart
With red-rimmed eyes; they sigh, and say once more,
“I will never, never dance again.”