turned as I was leaving
caught a glimpse of something there
the girl I was –
for a moment so familiar
an auburn tress –
chestnut eyes
a smile
that said ‘I know’  –
met myself as I was walking out
and warned me not to go

take of this
take it all –
the golden with the brass –
such perfect imperfection
I’ve become –
bury me where ivy climbs
to drink the summer rains –
where blackbirds swirl as circles –
drunken flame

take me down
another path
I never walked before –
and let me plait
of orchids – in my hair
would that the earth remember
where I left my yesterdays
folded soft beneath
the jealous pine –
where once I lay
where once I dreamed
of love (the sweetest kind)

was given this
a piece – some other
longing broke apart –
and I was left
holding to my heart –
but still it was to beating
forgotten what had been –
another still to know
my lowly drum

let not the dance be waiting –
for shoes I cannot wear
I’ll come alone
barefoot to the lawn
raise to veil –
ungraceful form of waltz
against the dawn –

dance with me
the band has come
to play