Glances Across A Room

I first became aware of her glances
When talking with my dear friend Roy.
I looked at her past the couples,
And in my heart she lit sudden joy.
Roy wondered, I'm sure, at my smile,
But his talk was beginning to cloy.
	Glances, glances across a room!

I took a step towards her, and stopped.
A man was in front of me, asking to dance.
I sighed, and put my hand in his,
My eyes going to seek her restless glance.
But she herself was whirling the floor.
I shrugged, and dismissed the strange chance.
	Glances, glances across a room!

Then we were dancing, swaying to a tune
That set my heart to dreaming of whirling
Beside her, my hands in her hair,
Like a long banner of red unfurling
To all sight the captured billows,
And covetous eyes with tears empearling.
	Glances, glances across a room!

Then I brushed against a soft hand,
And turned to see her smiling at me.
I breathed a soft sigh, said to my partner
That I had a clicking pain in my knee.
Disappointed, he guided me from the dance.
I waited for him to leave, and free-
	Glances, glances across a room!

-Free was I, for my lover's coming.
With what graceful step she advanced,
Her head high, green eyes calm and bright,
More lovely than when she had danced
With someone who was not me at all.
Fire burned me where she glanced.
	Glances, glances across a room!

She sank beside me on a chair,
And I wondered then if I were dreaming.
But she gave me another glance,
And I knew it full of sweet meaning.
Whatever my luck, whatever her love,
It had a lover's look and fair seeming.
	Glances, glances across a room!

We talked slowly of nothing at all,
Our voices more important than words.
They whirled warmly apart and together,
Like the crystal songs of spring's birds.
Meaningless to those outside the singing,
They made a meaning to we who heard.
	Glances, glances across a room!

At one point, she took up my hand,
And I shivered as though I had strings
Like a harp, which I thought she played.
Her fingers glanced on mine like wings
Of a bird coming to rest, on a quivering branch,
As she said to me, "I see you wear no rings."
	Glances, glances across a room!

I managed to clear my throat, said "No,"
And meant to say more, but was pinned
By the rising glance of joy she darted
Across my face, as when a spring wind
Breathes in my face bearing scents
Of flowers that with it have twinned.
	Glances, glances across a room!

She let my hand go with a little pat
That licked at my skin like gentle fire.
I shifted restlessly in my seat,
And she chuckled; that increased my desire.
She rose languidly, with a stretch,
And her voice rose a little bit higher-
	Glances, glances across a room!

"I may see you again, before you go?"
I nodded, my heart dancing in my breast.
She hesitated, then glanced at the dance,
And leaned forward, and softly pressed
A kiss upon my too-willing cheek.
And now I lie here without any rest.
	Glances, glances across a room!

Already I look to see her once again,
And my father says that in heaven above
God must have chosen me a true husband;
God must be arranging now a true love.
How to tell them that I am courted,
Yet not by a hawk, rather by a dove?
	Glances, glances across a room!

They think they know my flush's source;
They think they know my true desire.
And so, when we meet, they will not see
The sparks between us, sending higher
My blush, no more than they saw the glance
That first set my whole being afire.
	Glances, glances across a room!