Lady Under Lamp Shade

Young lady under the lampshade,
Will light
    my way.
Move a dance for me this night.

Pretty faded dress rounds your twirl,
Ribbon
    on back.
So delicate with daises amiss.
Angry man shouts but still you smile,
Will light
    my way,
Full of form, in step and in time

I hear you sing under your breath
When all
    is quiet,
When no one is watching your twirls.
But the silent night hears so much
No one
    escapes.
It preys upon we who sleep well.

Why is life so good I ask you?
Is life,
    so great
You dance on despite all of this?

I imagined your life one night
Lonely
    I was,
Of nights lit only by the moon.
In a bed by your side I dreamed
Of men
    on floors
Dancing and singing at your side.

Your life filled with songs of joy
In the
    daylight,
Mem’ries keep you warm in the dark night.

I too want dances at your side,
Gently
    pleasing.
Call out and wave the world goodbye.

What else is there to claim for me,
When you
    look out
Happy and content from your shade?
The mem’ry of people I knew?
Blue eyed,
    rose cheeks,
Shoulders so delicate and smooth.

You a fiery explosive
To light
     my way,
Dreamy girl who twirls the night away.

• 2001, Gisborne