THE DREAM DANCER'S TRAGEDY

she always had a smile on her face
she always wore that one dancing gown
when words were spoken, she would fall into a dream
and that was when she would dance

she breathes in the magical air around her
she dreams from a word that you say

she is slumped in a chair now, her gown is ripped open
the dream's dance inside of her has taken a turn
she did not remember what she was doing before the dance
and that was when she looked at you

she breathes in the magical air around her
she dreams from a word that you say

deeper into the night, her feet dance the steps
she knew the dance well, but she fell today
she looked hard into the lake for her reflection
but all she could see was wet mud and sand
where she saw your words sinking
you can see the concentration break in her stride
suddenly she drops her head
you can hear her bones turning to dust
and the magical air steals away her dance

© 1997, 2004 thomas bates