For my sister


I’ve always wanted to capture
the way you make me feel
whenever I see you move.

But through smiling days
and purple skies
I’ve never found the words.

So I close my eyes
and call to mind a dance
flowing with imaginative poise.

Dignified and fluid,
you glide through my dreams
like Bolero on ice.

While your eyes
mischief-shine
and promise more to come.

Watching you like this
I see all the beautiful qualities
you never see yourself.

The way you move
makes me want to be like you,
if only for a moment.

Makes me want to know
exactly how it feels
to move within poetic grace.

"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell's fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan's men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you'd return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)"