THE LAST DANCE

He knew he had few days to live,

She knew he had not much to give;

He didn’t want to tell her for she would cry,

She wondered why he didn’t tell her, why?

He wished to leave without hurting her,

She waited for him to tell her;

He desired to make the last moments perfect,

She realized his choice to keep it a secret;

He strived to make each day special,

She pretended that life was normal;

He showered her with roses and never moaned,

She cooked his favourite food and cried alone;

He did all that she had ever asked him,

She did all that he loved…everything;

He yearned to have with her one last dance,

She wasn’t a good dancer, yet, couldn’t disappoint her man;

He wore a tuxedo, the one she loved best,

She wore satin and lace, draped in red;

He turned on the music and played her favourite song,

She went in his arms, the place where she belonged;

He held her waist and drew her close,

She looked at him and rose on her toes;

He gazed back as love gleamed in his eyes,

She returned the love with the warmth of her smile;

He swayed with her never letting her go,

She matched his pace to and fro;

He made the most of his last dance,

She showed her love at every chance;

He refreshed the memories of their life,

She blushed at the reminiscence of sleepless nights;

He danced with her until dawn,

She never complained knowing soon he’d be gone;

He held her hand and led her to the settee,

She watched him lovingly till he fell asleep;

He never woke from that sleep in her arms,

She knew it in her heart that this was their last dance;

He was gone but gifted her some priceless moments,

She didn’t cry for that’s what he’d chosen;

He left her with memories to last forever,

She held on to them and walked in the future…