[Issue 2021.59]

‘he kindly danced for me’, J.D. Harlock

Illustration © 2021 Cécile Matthey

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because I would not dance for Death—
he kindly danced for me
and showed me a lesson
in
graceful—
humility

he slowly moved—a deathly pace
serenaded by—the deathly shapes
that hovered over
and twirled along
in ghastly—
symphony

and I stood there…
I stood there…
mouth agape
admiring
with composure
and grace
his sublime—
ability

that is
until—
he reached for me
for me alone,
in this phantom ball,
in this phantom hall,
beyond the veil
of—
tranquility

and then—as if by spell
I moved in…
I moved in…
and grabbed his hand
and took the lead
and in the lead—
we danced!

oh, how we danced!

swaying and spinning
through the air—
in perfect harmony

and though our time was brief—
all too brief
I found a comfort here
here,
in his embrace,
his deathly embrace,
relieved
by his exalted—
civility

because our little dance
it taught me death
it taught me life
within the limits
of—
possibility

for no matter the gown,
no matter the ball,
this little dance unites all

and so I dance here…
yes,
I dance here…
with bated breath.
for we are all equal unto Death
requiescat in pace

© 2021 J.D. Harlock

[Issue 2021.59]

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