The ladies, dressed in white lace
finery, trooped into the ballroom with its
bright blue floor, like swans swimming
in unison on a shimmering lake. The
candles blazed overhead and added
to the warm honey smell of the room richly
decorated in floral wreaths and
potted rose trees. Through arched windows,
the night breeze wafted jasmine
scented air, adding to the rich bouquet of
perfumed dancers.
A regiment of men, in blue, red and
white uniforms, dripping gold braid and
fine silver chains, medals and medallions,
marched to meet the ladies on the
dance floor. The stately music,
martial and slow paced, gave each couple
pause to admire the others as they
paired for the quicker steps.
Like fencers, they parried arms and
thrust each foot in time with the music.
Bold and smiling they went skimming
the cobalt floor. All hearts beat in time
with the rapid melodies flowing
like the scented air, curling in eddies about
the room, echoing and throbbing
like the pulses of the dancers.
Suddenly, the music paused and all
eyes gazed up at the grand stair. A tall
young officer stood poised on the
arm of a noble ship's captain. Both dressed
in dark blue, gold on the older
man's uniform, silver on the younger. A march
began and proudly they descended
the stair parting the waters of the guests
below. Arm in arm they walked among
the other guests, smiling and accepting
courtesies and greetings.
Male and female eyes tried to catch
the dark, smoldering gaze of the younger
man. Ah, but to no avail! His rosy
mouth, whispering, touched the ear of his
older companion who smiled and looked
about, merely waving at the other
guests. Their hands clasped the
pair danced, as mindful of the music as any
of the swanlike ladies or their
noble knight-like officers.
As fleet as deer, as light as doves,
their steps matched the music, perfectly
paired. Constant their gazing into
their partner's rich, warm eyes. Red
cheeks and white teeth, two mouths
smiling merrily. Lips made for soft
kisses, arms for embraces and legs
for dancing. They whirled over the dark
sea floor, frightening the lady
swans to flight, their knights unable to
stand in the wake of their passage.
Champagne and strawberries, white
cake and cool lemon ices, the younger one
fed his lover. The older filled
his partner's glass and they shared the cup.
The clock struck midnight and they
waved adieu. Up the stair they climbed
steps as light as ever, waving to
the sad mortals below who had not yet lived
the music they heard at the Valentine
Dance.
