Music Box

I wanted to be a dancer once. 

Do you recall? 

Slim and shy 

I’d twirl 

Barefoot.

You’d watch,

Black eyed;

A fool I’d look.

Do you recall? 

You gifted me a box;

It kept song 

a secret 

And a dancer

Entrapped. 

You always flinched 

When I closed it. 

A ballet shoe

Atop pink satin,

Complete with music 

To drown out 

Maternal cries.

I’d push it open 

In the dead hour,

Hands flat against ears. 

I’d watch her turn;

Envious and wide

Whilst next door 

You’d burn 

Against his hand.