Removing the Facade

Orange, pink, yellow,
a sunset falls;
drowning the apartments
in warm colors.

Walking in the street,
she watches the fleeting sun
those last few moments
before she reaches the dance hall.

Swirling around in her flowing dress,
the dress follows her movement as the
rock-step moves faster; repetitive
motions fill the room.

Step, step, rock-step, turn;
over and over,
surrounded by music.
Step, step, rock-step, turn;
swirling and dipping,
twisting and lifting.
The music moves faster,
the steps get quicker,
and then: the song ends.

He walks outside,
opening the door for her
his new zoot suit
is illuminated
by the brilliant
sunset. Walking
along, heels clacking
on the asphalt,

passing a darkening ally,
she sees two tin trash cans, and a
black cat rummaging through, looking
for one more meal. Today’s laundry
is on the line, between two
apartment buildings.
A woman is humming
slowly reeling in her clothes
putting each clothes pin carefully
back where it came from

The autumn air gently blows across her skin,
he offers his coat, the warmth is comforting.
Standing by the car before he takes her home,
he wraps his arms around her, and ever so gently
kisses her lips,
just one more time
before the sun finally sets.