the lady with the dark glasses

dressed in designer clothes
she sits stiffly
as if afraid to fall
elegant lady, a ghost of herself
dark glasses
blotting out
the familiar world around her
earphones
drowning her sorrow
in a world of sound
head bobbing in a slow swing
reliving days of New Orleans color
youthful promise
belle of the ball
dancing the night into morning

sixty isn't too old
shouldn't be an end
darkness has been hovering
slowly, sensually
like a promised lover
taking her in his arms
where the lights are dimmed
and he can show her
the untold secrets of the night

she was given no choice
to wait forever
before discovering the horror
of these darkening limitations
insulting her vivacious youth

behind dark glasses
her blue eyes will seduce
only the devil
she will not seek the angel of death
but all other angels, or lovers
their offering of peace
will bring her contempt
their gifts of solace
will reap rewards of anger

now caught in a world of shadow
abandoned by her rainbow pleasures
bruised daily by the absent white cane
she will not allow herself
the joy of love
found in the arms of
sweet song or a delicate caress





         the lady with the dark glasses
         8 may 2006 2
         the Lyons collection