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midnight dancer
midnight dancer
the ballerina turned round and round
upon her pointed toes
to the gentle sound of the music box
before the lid was closed
i followed from a distance
watching
as she gathered cigarette butts
and paper napkins
the haze of yellowed streetlights
reflected onto her teeth
when she smiled
through shattered memories
her black wool coat
was more than she needed
and less than she wanted
when the scent of chanel no. 5
tempted her with memories
of wishes
where old dreams had died
i hated my tears
when i watched her
and yet i knew she would kiss them
if kisses were meant for a prince
i had become a pauper
in the presence of this midnight dancer
poking at empty pockets
where frayed cloth replaced pennies
she sat against bricks and stones
weeping
wondering why the promises of yesterday
were dropped into a bell ringer’s kettle
on a bitter december day
and salvation was non-refundable
leaving her with only cigarette butts
and napkins to unfurl before a king
tolbert
Copyright ©
wayne tolbert
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