Dance Floor Catastrophe

a quick primping glance in the mirror outside the dance
where the oak leaves of fall
swirl in wind's rhythm
black clouds foretell of the catastrophe
that is about to transpire on the floor
in the middle of your favorite slow love song

emotions encapsulated in a song
protocol precludes requesting a dance
remain parked on the sidelines till brought to the floor
your blood pressure may fall
perhaps a spell of fainting will be your catastrophe
an erratic heart rhythm

your mother listened for the death rhythm
each night before her bedtime song
recited the Lord's prayer together to avert the catastrophe
will it all come back to haunt you when you dance
mom would catch you should she see you fall
no parental protective insulation on this floor

you tap your foot on the floor
to indicate your interest in the rhythm
chin up as boys walk by and go as hopes fall
humming along to the song
entranced in the color and movement of dance
a smile on your face and inside a mind fearful of catastrophe

clammy hands, downcast eyes, red blush: an anxiety catastrophe
seek calm amidst the whirling floor
couples spin around in dance
hearts and minds in rhythm
joined for minutes in song
hands around waists, tossed into the air then fall

watching it all again tear drops fall
dance floor catastrophe
it's never your song
nobody wants to be seen with you on the floor
syncopated left out of the rhythm
no sweet heart dance

each fall you feel the floor
call you to catastrophe with false rhythm
one song for a wheelchair dance

©polarpaul 2006