The Poorest Waltz

Across the cedar covered
river
Within the night that
covers them
Up the hill toward dark
gates
An approach so sweet yet
again
Proffer the sightless with
wine
Crank the old
gramophone
To go up and dance with
the blind girls
A secret so holy and dire
To waltz in the arms of
innocence
Hushed delights from the
choir
Shadows long and playful
Cast with broken old
candles
Gowns worn and stressed
Yet graceful in tired old
sandals
Strike up the scratchy old
music
Tonight they won’t dance
alone
Alas, the music does fade
Back to the village they
creep
And leave the sanatorium
Its bars and rules, Just so