would you like to dance

if you had agreed, oh, how sweet 

to have held you in my arms

to have felt your movement

to have seen how your hair 

lay against your neck

oh, it would have been fine 

to have had those few minutes 

to whisper, doubtful that the words

would be heard above the music

to have watched your lips form the words

to have seen the look of mild exasperation

as the words fell unheard

to have watched your smile as we danced

yes, it would have nice

it would have been very nice

had we danced

~

 a festival of two

it begins like this

a crowded room, music

dancing, laughter, celebration

as the night wears on

as the families with children

and friends on a schedule

find their way home

when the dance floor is left

to those few who refuse to let it go

who dance cheek to cheek

jackets hung on backs of chairs

shoes long ago kicked off

when it is down to that 

to the last dance

to the band packing up

when there is silence, then

then we begin to dance our dance