Stopping the Dance

As quiet blackness deepened I lay awake my heart in check, The cool night wind blew And welcome silence grew… _______ Unanticipated music exploded Roused me from bed rest, I tiptoed to its source: Dark sounds from downstairs, Nearer, higher, and louder Till it reached the hallway. He grasped my hand, Whirled it to turn me twice, Held me close, went on trotting steps Slow, quick, quick; slow, quick, quick; Slow, slow, quick, quick... He never gets tired, he liked the dance. He led; I followed - his greatest joy; In perfect timing to his bidding, I swayed wherever he flung me, His steps were full of variation – He liked it that way; While I only had one reaction – Receive his urgings. Perfect dance he'd always say because It is with such ease when partner is open That controlled movement is played. Ungraceful dance I never liked, But all this time it kept me alive: His music and diverse steps I sought And to it I humbly swayed. Tonight I let him led again, Just like the other days and nights. The darkness of the night was strained, It was only the curtains that were swaying, To the night breeze with grace, Stark of light peeped out from the room, My hands and feet went frozen like ice, I heard a different tune within, sad, weary, But slowly roused with excitement And anger underneath... Heated me up Ablaze, my eyes red-stained - He held me closer to him, and I - Pulled myself too tight to him He was pleased I saw it in his sated eyes As I meekly submitted… for the last time. We did slow, quick, quick steps for a two Or more and then he let me go; I trotted Far away from him then back to him Without his behest, and out of rhythm His steps were outside our dance floor… Down the stairs...In open position he lay there, In his face I saw his dance - the macabre dance - I never liked at all. His eyes dazed – He had his final dance with me after all. _____ The night was cold, yet I felt warm, and the music gone, The curtains stopped swaying at the night winds’ prodding. -maria 8/11/14