In slow stately ballroom style

she dances in triple time

A stylistically refined minuet

with her partner but not in step.

 

He being mesmerised

with her beguiling beauty

and electric personality

as the orchestra plays

in ambiguous tempo or so he says

 

Not tiring, Fanny looks to refresh

her performance by swapping

dance partners, and so I move swiftly in

 

No need for introductions as we

sweep across a now sparse dance floor

looking up and nothing more

 

Dance, dance, dance the minuet

keep it tight, keep it in step

Dance, dance, dance the minuet

Fanny Arlington no regrets

 

“Perhaps kind sir it’s time to rest

I feel my heart racing through my breast

I cannot perceive what may ensue

 if I continue this minuet with you”

 

So from the floor we quickly leave

and separate to give relief

so that Fanny has chance

to catch her breath

just before she lapses into death....

RIP my Fanny Arlington

From ‘Poetry Gold’

by Rick’ Varden