Cheek to Cheek

In the soft blues and whisky breath
of a hotel bar at midnight moon
oblivious to the scent of death

they cling tightly to
the piano’s tune
peacekeeper, war-reporter
deep growls from the saxophone.

The high pitch of breaking glass
-a shiver down the spine, a moan.

A sway of hips, a touch of lips
daylight darkness kept in check
night music, wails of the dispossesed;
war and peace dance cheek to cheek

da.. da.. da.. da.. da...
the saxophone sings the blues tonight
ra ta ta ta ta
a crackle of machine-gun fire.

van de Vis, Beatrice - Ascent Aspirations Anthology No 7, Spring 2009