One Dance Poem by Theresa Ann Moore

The gymnasium was swarming… songs of the fifties
played…the turntable spun as the rock and roll beat
motivated teens to dance tirelessly with their partner
The music stopped and dimming lights calmed feet

Wondering what caused a sudden change and waiting...
a slow song started playing… as couples drew nearer
and began to slowly sway… Merging from the shadows
a young man meandered intently to a solitary wall flower

With a smile that lit my heart… he politely asked me to dance
He was tall and up until now…I had never noticed him at all
As he spoke gently… I noticed that his hands was calloused
He said, my name is Rufus… I've seen you passing in the hall

He seemed unfamiliar yet warm and caring… thanking me
as the music stopped… oddly he walked away and faded
into the crowd… as my friends rushed to my side inquiring...
with a curious giggle my response was one that was gated

I've thought occasionally of the one time dancing partner
Wondering whatever became of him after he quit attending
I mused, what if we met again…would the dance resume
Days quickly passed by and high school days were ending

Leaving my home to attend college to further knowledge
Caught up in the swirl of higher education and late parties
Four years lead me to a degree that enabled me to support
myself… beginning a life of reality… no more carefree follies

Returning to my hometown for a visit… walking in the park
near a lake that is bordered by youthful memories… observing
a newly erected granite memorial to our small town's war dead
extending upward to the sky… a tribute to those lost while serving

As I read the names etched upon the polished stone of gratitude
A name suddenly froze my continuous perusal of remberence
There before my eyes was the name of that tall boy with a smile
whose calloused hands tenderly guided me while we danced

10/5/2010