The Poorest Waltz

Across the cedar covered river

Within the night that covers them

Up the hill toward dark gates

An approach so sweet yet again

Proffer the sightless with wine

Crank the old gramophone

To go up and dance with the blind girls

A secret so holy and dire

To waltz in the arms of innocence

Hushed delights from the choir

Shadows long and playful

Cast with broken old candles

Gowns worn and stressed

Yet graceful in tired old sandals

Strike up the scratchy old music

Tonight they won’t dance alone

Alas, the music does fade

Back to the village they creep

And leave the sanatorium

Its bars and rules, Just so