the passing

he stood
mostly concealed
looking out through the curtain
and the glass

deliberately
he kept himself
in shadow

here
in the dark
only he
could watch

and here in the shadows
only he
unseen

outside
was springtime

small islands …
disappearing …
of snow

the rest
was green
in the glow
of a newfound
sun

and in the crystal light
she danced

free
as her arms
whirled around

free
as she spun
and kicked up
her legs

a prance
of a dance
she joined it
with everything
she had

the puff
of her breath
was a signal
sent out in smoke

he ground his teeth
behind
the curtain

he watched
avid
each move she made

and he wished

how he wished
she had found
some other stage
to perform on

but there she was

there he was

and so
they stay

while the dance
goes on

~