3 January 2013
Wearing the finest tulle and lace dress Low waisted, off the shoulder with dainty sleeves My blonde hair parted in the middle Ringlets, decorated with tiny flowers and leaves
In my wonderful ball gown I feel grand A delicate hue of apple green, bell shaped but dainty I enter the annual fall masked ball October 7th, eighteen-hundred eighty
The music, the truest delight to my ears Fills the air with joyous smiles and excited souls I hold tight to my precious dance card Pencil attached with fine string, in red so bold
Fourteen dances are listed before my eyes The Waltz, Barn Dance, Two Step, are 1,2 and 3 Grand March, Veleta, D'Alberts, 4 to 6 One Step, Serenade, Waltz again, such glee
Quadrilles, La Rinka and Imperial Waltz Pas Styrien and finally Rafferty's Dance My flat slippers are ready to be partnered With a gent, will my card be left empty by chance?
A gent with the kindest smile takes my card He signs his name with warmth, Mr King Mr Harris, Mr Studley, Mr Simmons Mr Kimball, Mr Davis, all make my heart sing
Mr Stem, Mr Haskell and Mr Turley All make my feet ache with dances of bliss Mr Goodell and Mr Pearlman tell me That my dancing made their hearts beat amiss
The balls, the gowns and dance cards A piece of wonderful social history I only wish that the dances and my attire Were not my imagination but a wonderful memory
©Kim Brown 3rd January 2013
The Dance Card • Opuss № I