The Emotional Orphan

I wish I’d learned to dance.
Some days, I believe
it could have been that simple.

To walk into the crowded party,
alert you I was there only by my presence,
and the power of the awe I’m in–
when in the same room with you.
To author the spark, the twinge-
that lets you know I’m there.

The weak moment in your knees,
the response I always promised…
from across the room.

This might have made the difference.

My biggest regret is
I didn’t ever learn to dance.
A glide across the room
To take your hand,
a marriage of movement and music
would have made all the difference.

Ginger and Fred.
A blind man’s
Scent of a Woman…
OOOHHAHHH !!!

It would have changed our world.

Pride, fear,
my own clumsiness
were my enemy.

Wallflower paralyzed,
I misread the importance it had for you.

I believed everything we said,
took for granted that I’d surprise you one day,
sweep you off your feet.
I knew it to be that simple.
I simply knew it.

It would have doomed this fate.

Repolish sparkle
from the tarnish of time.
A secret weapon held back.

Shiny penny for a rainy day.
An ace in the hole,
I’d waltz, or tango across the ballroom.
That would fix it.

But Prince Charming didn’t count on
losing his kingdom, or
the charm losing its lustre.

No longer a Prince,
or Charming,
I am alone.
I am ashamed,
and very sad.

Sobbing has no rhythm.
Fate changed out world.

1,2,3
1,2,3
1,2,3,4

Music grows quiet.
Stops.

Lights come up
to say the party is over.

No clock strikes twelve.
I look for you
you are gone.

No dropped slippers
or pumpkin chariots.

Simply gone.

Some days I really believe
it could have been that simple.

I wish I’d learned to dance.