Dancing The Waltz

Leather sole turns on waxed floor The paper arrows lift at the corners You press one flat beneath your shoe The teacher leaves the waltz playing You hum the part we never reached My polished shoes refuse to bend Your heel keeps finding the same groove We pass the same apology back Whenever one of us must move The others leave with coats and laughter We study where the arrows point You say "Again But not so quickly" I try to loosen every joint The hall grows wider without voices My right hand hovers near your sleeve You start where one blue arrow's lifting I press it flat We do not leave The music doesn't ask whose name you almost called me It lets the wrong step happen and brings the next one near Your hand can keep its history while resting here in mine The music doesn't ask for love It only keeps the time You lead when I am meant to lead I turn before you give the sign You whisper "Sorry That was his" I say "I followed her that time" Your fingers leave my shoulder Mine fall empty at my side The old waltz inside the speaker Circles back without our stride