Wearing the finest tulle and lace dress

Low waisted, off the shoulder with dainty sleeves

My blonde hair parted in the middle

Ringlets, decorated with tiny flowers and leaves.

In my wonderful ball gown I feel grand

A delicate hue of apple green, bell shaped but dainty

I enter the annual fall masked ball

October 7th, eighteen-hundred and eighty.

The music, the truest delight to my ears

Fills the air with joyous smiles and excited souls

I hold tight to my precious dance card

Pencil attached with fine string, in red so affluently bold.

Fourteen dances are listed before my eyes

The Waltz, Barn Dance, Two Step: are 1,2 and 3

Grand March, Veleta, D'Alberts, 4 to 6

One Step, Serenade, Waltz again, such glee!

Quadrilles, La Rinka and Imperial Waltz

Pas Styrien, and finally Rafferty's Dance

My flat slippers are ready to be partnered

With a gent, will my card be left empty by chance?

A gent with the kindest smile takes my card

He signs his name with warmth; Mr King

Mr Harris, Mr Studley, Mr Simmons

Mr Kimball, Mr Davis: they all make my heart sing!

Mr Stem, Mr Haskell and Mr Turley

All make my feet ache with dances of bliss

Mr Goodell and Mr Pearlman tell me

That my dancing made their hearts beat amiss.

The balls, the gowns and dance cards

A piece of wonderful social history

I only wish that the dances and my attire

Were not my imagination but a wonderful memory.

©Kim Brown 3rd January 2013