Last Dance
The shy lady in the corner,
body withered by cancer,
stands up to dance.
She bows to the band
then floats into movement.
Dancing alone she clings
to the empty air as she
once clung to her man.
Nymphs and shepherds play
sweet music at midnight in this
room turned sacred grove.
Her dance-steps are a draught
of joyous water from the fount
of eternal youth and lasting love.
Comment: Another Golden Oldie pulled out of the magic hat of a forgotten manuscript. Such a joy to rediscover these things. Draught is the English form of American draft, incidentally, as in draught cider. I hate how my spell-checker corrects my spelling, even when it is correct. Wednesday was dance night in the hospice. At seven o’clock a band would arrive and set up at one end of the dining room. Tables were cleared away and chairs placed in rows so that patients could sit and listen or move onto the dance space that awaited them. This one old lady, shy and very much worn down by her treatment, stood up when the last dance was called and floated in an ethereal space that was hers and hers alone. The other patients stood around in a circle and applauded as she danced and the band played on and on until everyone was dancing and the room was filled with joy and forgetfulness. Such is human strength, even in the face of apparent and imminent disaster. Dance on, my friends, dance on.
rogermoorepoet 
That’s absolutely a wonderful poem, Roger! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting and for your comment. Those days in the hospice were similar in so many ways to these days under our various forms of lock down. We moved with trepidation and never knew who might go next. Luckily I was not one of them. I wish you well and hope that you keep safe and well. Best wishes,
Roger.
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful, Roger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. That hospice was a difficult place to be. The companionship helped many people through difficult times. Reaching out, hoping, and believing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem mate you nail that one
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. That’s a lovely thing to write. It is funny finding this old manuscript of mine and then going through it again, with a different voice and a different vision.
LikeLike
I can imagine it is they’re great keep them coming
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll do my best. Thanks for the support. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
So lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. In difficult times, like these, we need all the help we can get!
LikeLike
Most definitely
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful, Roger. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The human being is capable of transcending many difficulties. I hope all is well with you. You are not forgotten. I am still doing my Welsh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All is well hear. I have actually been quite lax with my French of late. Thank you for the gentle reminder. I have been missing that daily stimulation so I think I will resume my lessons today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great. I have been watching your ‘absence’ on my friends list. Naughty, naughty!!
LikeLiked by 1 person