The Last Dance

The Last Dance1

The dark, decisive night sent shivers up my spine 2

The evil, dauntless, almost took this hardened heart of mine 3

And I bedecked in finest garb to prowl about the night4

My bowler hat atop my head, my milky face alight5

The road was rough and never clear, I slowly made my way 6

And there in moonlight caught my eye, a thing so lost by day7

Bathed in waning silver, it possessed a haunting guise8

A triple storied mansion, I could scarce believe my eyes9

The windows glowed with yellow light, a most surprising leer10

It’s aura draped in ebony how scarce it did appear11

My body harkens “enter in”, my mind it holds me back12

But soon my heart gladly gave the courage I did lack13

My feet step softly on the stones, as I approach the door14

I feel this putrid feeling that I’ve never felt before15

The knocker cold within my hand, I slam it up and down16

It swings open and I beheld a specter with a frown17

“Cone in, come in.” he says with haste. “I pray thee sit thee down.”18

“The other guests will be here soon, so please do stay around.”19

The ballroom floor so clean and clear, as if a sheet of glass 20

It brought back distant memories, from my very distant past21

Oh, I recall my younger days, when I was just a lad 22

When I had not a care at all, for oh what fun I had23

I a boy of noble blood, what glory I beheld24

And over years of solitude my mind began to meld25

But I’ve no time to reminisce, for now the guest arrive26

They all seem most peculiar, and no one seems alive27

There’s Napoleon of Bonaparte, and there is Genghis Kahn28

And the re is Jack the Ripper with the rest of Satan’s spawn29

“And now!” The ghostly butler cries. “Your hostess for tonight.”30

“She’s the temptress of desire and the seductress of delight.”31

And to the stairway went my gaze, to see who would appear32

My senses rose to listen, my ears they strained to hear33

Down the stair steps came her scent, of jasmine and fine rouge34

And I the somber gentleman, the gallery was lewd35

Her figure but a shadow, against the fading light36

So peaceful was her presence, this lady of the night37

Her skin was pallid, almost white, but reddened were her lips38

Her leather belt caressed her waist, and fell about her hips39

Her dress was like a second skin, of black and bloody red40

Her sad, seductive, sea blue eyes, were anything but dead41

I felt a bold ness in my chest, as I approached this rose 42

This mystifying creature with hair as black as crows43

A hint of lightning kissed the air, as if some warm romance44

And with a cool demeanor, I said, “May I have this dance?”45

I held aloft my humble hand, she clasped it firm in hers46

I had never felt this peaceful, I had never been this sure47

And all my doubts soon emptied, from this hollowed heart of mine48

For I felt such conviction, whilst our fingers were entwined49

We twirled around the ballroom, like a flower in the breeze50

“Give me now your name my love. Tell me truly please.”51

She smiled without an answer, and danced with dives and dips52

My noble mouth fell bodily upon her fervent lips53

We held the kiss for minutes, but instead it seemed like hours54

Like some enchanting romance it was sweet and never sour55

But like so many memories, soon it was replaced56

By a cold manifestation, of blood upon her face57

“My precious love you’re bleeding, tell me are you hurt?”58

And then my eyes glance downward at the blood upon my shirt59

“My dearest love, my handsome prince, do not fear I’m fine.”60

“For the blood upon my face, is only yours not mine!”61

I staggered to the window, hoping for a breath62

“If I don’t stop the bleeding, I soon will catch my death.”63

I see the specter hazily; I implore him to explain64

I can barely hear his voice, wincing from the pain65

“My friend you seem a tad confused so let me light your way.”66

“If all you seek is answers, you will hear now what I say.”67

“You danced with death, you held her hand, you kissed her with affection.”68

“But in these several mindless acts, you have achieved perfection.”69

“The cares of life have left you; at last you are at ease.”70

“You have no one left to care for; you have no one left to please.”71

“In this your darkest hour, at last you are made whole.”72

“You’ll never think of pain again, your body’s left your soul.”73

I looked into and oval mirror: I’m pale as a sheet74

This night of timeless passion, its reward is bittersweet75

My crimson stream of life blood, is extinguished in my hands76

My cotton gloves ablaze whit color, red as desert sand.77

And now my eyes are opened, I now accept my fate78

My purpose was to perish, so I have no cause to hate79

And now I must remain here, at the age of twenty-four80

And my visions of the sun die out; I’ll see it nevermore81

I turn to death, and we lock eyes, and softly she does call82

“Of all the corpses in here, you’re the noblest of them all.”83

“Stay with me, we shan’t grow old, nor will our spirits die.”84

“You’ll find that when you’ve perished, that you just feel so alive!”85

And so upon the dance floor, our figures twist and twirl86

I quiver not a muscle with this deadliest of girls87

I shall remain immortal, for now and all of time88

I shall stay here with my love, this gentle rose of mine.89

So if you have some notion, of coming out to meet me. 90

Walk to the door, and simply knock and I shall gladly greet thee.91

But if the thought of death escapes you, or cringes you in fright. 92

Then please take heed, and keep away, and don’t walk toward the lights93