and falters she does, the clumsy

ballerina topples – lands on her face

with an audience slightly taken aback

when money was paid to see the finest.

alone by the cafe, a stranger to all

in a little town: the outcast stares at her with

a glare; then salutes to the captain

who is now strolling in with a silver cane.

a hard stern faced man, disciplined all his life,

decides to let go: steam hisses out,

a bends the iron cane till it could stand no more

then found that silver still won the day

with worn out legs beginning to cave,

the molten iron reshaped to become a thinking

hat quite cool on his head; and yet the heaviness

shrunk that height so he was quite soon somewhat

a miniature. hello there the woman whose appearance

seemed familiar decided to take at chance,

wondering if here was a kindred who understood

who lost in the glamor. he grunted twice, having

known that dance anywhere, even when quite kept

out of sight. bowed deeply and seemed chastened

for he knew not how to respond to this inquiry.

the uncouth youth bellowed; glared down severely

on the impertinent damsel. that’s my captain!

she knew not what all the fuss was about having had

a bad day, decided to go bonkers. threw down the gautlet

and took aim at his face, soon to be riddled and peppered

alike. a silver cane fell from high, having no more use

with a man no longer able to use it well. a lost purpose.

though a sullied youth with foggy memory saw a thing

of beauty: took it, luck took a swing. became mayor, then governor

though the aggressive lady had long gone out of sight.

and thoughts. found her wandering the paris streets eager to

make a buck or two. her legs not what they used to be.

a thinking man found himself lost without his hat

gone some time during a brawl, knew not how to think,

so drunk himself to oblivion. seemed the smart thing to do.

then the night shone a heavy glare, the kind you see

just before a dream fades. it’s wake up time.

the curious change of cards once again;

deformed legs made whole by an inventive iron will –

forged to perfection,

then she danced again in the moonlight;

a governor fell from high when

a drunkard said: that’s mine. and it was. repurposed.

silver cane rekindled a lost love;

so the last in the line r e a c h e d

bore weight. changed the appearances,

bore meaning. changed the dynamics,

bore life. changed the last laugh.