Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE DANCE by GRACE DENIO LITCHFIELD

First Line: LET THE MUSIC PLAY!
Last Line: LET US DANCE TILL EARTH CEASES TO BE!
Subject(s): DANCING & DANCERS;

LET the music play!
I would dance alway—
Dance till the dawn of the bright young day!
Wild notes are sounding—swift lights are glancing,
And I—I am mad with the rapture of dancing—
Mad with a breathless delight.
With thine arm to enfold me,
Thy strong hand to hold me,
I could dance through an endless night.

Doth the music play?
Or is it—oh, say—
But the sound of thy voice that I hear for alway?
Is it thy smile or the sweet lights glancing?
Is it thy presence or only the dancing
Makes the whole world so glad?
Love I—ah me!—
Or the dance, or thee?
Am I mad? Am I mad? Am I mad?

Bid the music play!
Let us dance alway—
Through all life—through all time—dance forever and aye!
Such wild notes are sounding! Such bright lights are glancing!
And I—I am mad with the madness of dancing—
Of dancing?—or dancing with thee?
Let thy heart's love enfold me!
Thy heart's strength uphold me!
Let us dance till earth ceases to be!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net