The Melancholy Dancer

I thought I saw reads wafting wands
Lightly o'er the rippling river strands
It was your slender stems I glanced
As your quivering spirit danced

Your frame so slight it sharpens mist
Your heart weighed down by sorrow's thirst
Pour out your woes into my fate
Dance out your sighs, banish hate

My fire is burning unto death
So bathe my hand with fearless breath
Your eyes are crying at the moon
Break the spell and fill the room

Through doleful shades you now must move
In order that your heart may prove
A sullen guise of waters dark and deep
Must not lull your dance to sleep

Dance outwards wild and free in sky
Exercise your fantasy of why
Your body's pulse should be awake
Alive and ready to forsake

Stretch happiness across your anguised pain
And show your heart to us again
For we all care about your woes
And love to see your mellow toes

Your beauty cracks the mirror of our soul
With a hopeful scream of joy
Dance gracefully evermore in light
Erase memories of pain from sight

For when your face first caught my eye
Your glance was French and all aspire
We see that you have learned craft
In Ballet's lonely choreograph

Richard Field
May 2003