Wallflower

On the edge she sits, a frail nonentity;
neither bloom nor spirit, nor secure identity,
as forlorn and shy she trembles, a man
asks her to dance, she must decline.

Stuck in a bubble, just missing the boat,
floating past maybes, a lump in her throat,
she dawdles and dangles, an inch from forever,
a chance to break open, but opting for never.

One day she will make it, step into the limelight,
and pirouette daintily, taking his hand,
there'll be no more jitters or lame-brain excuses
just confident motions in time with the band.

What a relief to be one of a legion
of movers and shakers who're down from the shelf,
she's gliding with grace while avoiding another's toes,
hugging her partner instead of herself.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Bauer Avatar
July 12, 2015 at 4:01 PM
excellent poem, keith, especially the second verse. it just flows so smoothly. i have a feeling that many wallflowers never take that "step into the limelight," though...
Bickerstaffe Avatar
July 12, 2015 at 4:48 PM
Thanks Ilene! This one languished in my PC FOR EVER... I just couldn't get past the first verse. I'm glad I persevered though...
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