the dancer in the piano

she swings to the tune of the hall

laughing, swaying, silently

to encircle, enrapture—to enthrall.

the dancer in the piano—

a fairy from the moon

the sprite who’s free to dance all night

as a backwards shadow-tune

the dancer in the piano

reflection of the conductor’s art

blur with the dress of the chorister—

together, a sway, together, apart

the dancer in the piano:

she swings to the tune of the hall

but she is not true, and will subdue

when finally the curtains fall.

(more real that we any of us can imagine

surreal as she is untrue

she dances forever, the piano girl

forever is a point of view)