music wafts through the light night air
a melodic, sweet perfume
wishing away sighs and despair
ushering them from the room
guests wave their troubles off aside
gently the room tingles with merriment
the dance floor beckons and out dancers glide
like a moonlit tide
so why does a girl, sweet and demure
linger at the shore oh so diffident?
the sea of couples swirls and sways
waves molded by the musical breeze
effortlessly one with the fray
he twirls his partner with ease
floating gently, around they go
she smiles and laughs and he smiles too
his smiles shine forth from his contented glow
for his partner? no
for he hastens to glance, when given the chance
at she he knows not but longs to
like one far removed watches she
a shadow by the tideline
many times previously has he
caught her eye as she waits by the sidelines
slightly old-fashioned in her ways
she hides from his gaze and makes not a sound
though she soaks in the mere sight of him each day
like from the sun, rays
yearning for one soft, simple question
will you come dance with me round and round?
yet never does he dare to speak
and pull her from her solitude
the silence between them is deep
of the other's indifference each concludes
happy masks hide despair inside
ensnared in the current of society; his friends
he's not strong enough a swimmer to swim against the tide
beyond his pride
if he had only asked her to dance ---
but the lull of the waves quietly subsides
the night is at an end.
The Golden Seashell
