The Balcony (An Octet,) by Michael Vines

Photo by Fredrik Öhlander on Unsplash

At first she was so coy and proud
gazing restless beyond the crowd,
I’d see her as I walked to work
a pleasant start each day as clerk

She’d move to get a better view
the town, the folk, the skylines’ hue
I changed my path closer to be
her second story balcony

She always stood for me to see
her restless presence followed me,
I came to need her sullen glance
and dreamt a prelude to romance

In the cold light of winter’s glow
my lady braved the fallen snow
When soon the atmosphere was clear
her absence turned my joy to fear

Did she succumb to sad lament?
Or was her bosom Heaven bent?
I had to know her fate reposed
her gift of love was self-imposed

Her confession I would endure
the sordid details I would hear

I rang the bell with great distress
wish not disturb the house in rest
Yet when my inquiry was heard
their celebration was absurd

Dancing in the street with folly
only served my melancholy
The choice of fool was mine for free
a mannequin she came to be

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Michael Vines is a freelance writer who lives in South-Central Kentucky. His "Slice of Life" essays have been published in statewide newspapers and Amazon Kindle ("Ain't Life Peachy")