Oh How They Danced

by Judith Veder

My mother’s dance card was forever open
as was her longing.
My father would not dance.
I think it was the touch
that scared him.
Maybe it was the song.
He was not a man of song or touch.
He hummed, yes
sometimes in Yiddish
sometimes when he sewed
but never more.
My mother vowed she’d dance
that dance just once since they wed,
The anniversary waltz--
Oh how danced on the night we were wed
We vowed our true love, though a word wasn't said
The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies
Except for the few that were there in your eyes
Dear as I held you so close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
Darling I love you so
The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love is unaltered by time
Darling I love you so
The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our live is unaltered by time
And then at 40 years marriage
a party to come, she taught him again
as wives are wont to do, that waltz,
to touch
in public view
that anniversary waltz.
And my father danced
and for their 50th he danced again.
And when my mother was dying
he sang for her that song
and touched her hand-
and danced their dance-
darling, he loved her so.