Home Planet News

a journal of literature & art

Poetry of Issue 9: Roseland Taxi Dancer

Roseland Taxi Dancer

I am unknown in a madcap crowd

In Roseland where loneliness is

The most popular stranger

Wearing the true face of a lie

 

Playing taxi dancer with the blues

Where jazz is the epiphany of poetry

 

I dance with you when no one can get

In your head once you are out of reach

 

Out of town Out of sight Out of mind

 

I listen to the woes of those who squandered

Cherished kisses from a whirlpool of deceit

With ingratiated flattery and hype

 

You can’t get everything by giving nothing

But I will love you only when we dance

A fearless waltz or a seductive tango

 

Your mood swings are my songs:

How profound when someone

With wit knows your worth

 

Whispering, “Return home

Where your sea legs belong.”

 

And I, a seagull, old as stale bread,

Smiled like a lovable pirate.

by José Ángel Figueroa

Home Planet News