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Danse Macabre

Danse Macabre

Twin Old Glorys jitterbug above the hoods as silent heralds; the motorcade 
congas three-abreast along the Stemmons Freeway sleek in shiny chrome.
Long honks and short beeps unite in harmonious homage 
to the office that cradles a nation in her oval skirts. 
Dallas, late November blue sky framing puffy clouds, is a cabaret 
bobbing in frenetic throb to the glam life-beat of its honored cortege.
As they swing onto Main, the image bounces off the dark glasses of the austere 
men that line the parade route like lampposts, and beams to an adoring world.
With a blast and a life-tearing flash, a keen emerges from the 
back of the shiny limousine that jumps through the light 
implanting itself into the intimate memories of a generation. 
The suits whirl about in impotent rage as the surge of flesh 
undulates forward in grief, back in terror and commences a final march
while a distant freight train avers its dolor with a mournful whisper.
As night falls on a blood-soaked plaza the wind whips up and 
the leafy trees on the grassy knoll sway a spectral dance.

By Jay Herman
For Nette Onclaud's Let's Dance contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012




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Book: Reflection on the Important Things