I would slip over silk and satin and marble,
swallow my pride and startle the guests
with my ferocious gentleness. I have more
room to forgive when I know nothing will
go wrong within the bounds of dusk to dawn.
Arms outstretched – I will allow myself to be
touched – aglow in the admiration, at last!
How can those hand-cherry-picked cause
calamity? I know each dancer better than
I know the way my own body blends and
breaks and bruises in the ballroom. I am more acquainted with amorousness than
apathy. Besides, they all broke through barriers to get to me. I would let down my
walls, just this once, as their sweet nothings whistle with the wine winding down my throat.
I would let them love me with the good intentions I remember them by.