Something tiptoed to my room uncertain

Peeked beneath my slumber curtain

Awakened by a distinctive sound, I abandoned my bed

and searched around to see if I could find

a source of the disturbance.

A swirling fog of silver grey filled the room

and blocked my way but through it called a voice

familiar by its absence, followed by

a long forgotten air.

'Come, my lover, now's our chance

join with me for one last dance'

Beneath my breath I murmured 'Yes'

when the owner of the voice appeared

and with the music she did sway, to a melody

in three quarter time

that took me to another day where youth was ours

to have and squander, fearless of what beckoned yonder . . .

while on feathered feet we moved, adrift in memories.

I drank the sparkle in her eyes, the lips that smiled

without disguise, the aura that was hers alone

now left with me as legacies

Through the frothy cloud we twirled

bodies close cares unfurled, one, two, three

one, two three in dizzying delight, dipping

and diving through a magical night.

Gradually the music faded and at that moment

I would have traded all the years I had remaining

for one more dance before the end

of what did seem but fate's to lend . . .

a lonely dream within a dream.