Ten Cents a Dance

She worked at a boozy ballroom, dancing for 10 cents a dance Barely enough to eat and pay her rent in a rundown seedy hotel So young, so alone raised by no one but herself Oh, she had parents, but they didn’t see her, didn’t know or love her She married the first guy who came along just to get away from home But he abused her - used her, then left her all alone Twenty two years old- Alone, with two small children to care for She needed someone… Someone who would hold her - touch her tenderly with his heart Someone to love her- love her children Her brown eyes wishing, hoping - looking for love in stranger’s faces Dancing for 10 cents a dance under shimmering ballroom lights Swaying to and fro through dreamed filled hopes With her closed eyes, she pretended as she danced Fantasizing that he might be the one to save her- love her When the music started she was in another world Wishing he’d sweep her off her feet, take her away So she could live like a lady and die like a flowering rose when her last petals fell In the arms of one she imagines will be hers once and for all To whisper velvet words of comfort as their feet grazed the floor Under the melodic grace of the violins she pretended… Hoping to find her hero, someone who’ll give her a chance Just...for 10 cents a dance