This Dream in the Dance Hall

Eleven sisters slip down the stairs

staring down at their mothers closed eyes

Cold lids, lifeless, beautiful 

Fallen too soon from the fire of youth

Wife,mother,sister,friend

Heaven can’t wait to see you daughter of love

As you prayed, "Father, As I enter into this new world

you find me in my daughters, carrying me in their laughing hearts

May they love and live and know they are free

May they dance as I did under this Nebraska skyline

Fathers memory deep in my soul

May they hold close the stories he told

Father said, Ada, my love can you sing me a song

from the grave, a song of love?

You in your black dress so young and beautiful

You and me forgetting time waiting for the sunrise. Can you sing for me again?

Long stairs wooden banister winding down to the ballroom

Down past the colored lights that mother bought in Venice

Your merry heart

Your eyes of blue

Though I have no memory of you

I remember you when I see myself

Dancing with a merry heart

Following love to the better part of wisdom

I see you when I see my mother

The face of longing for her mother

I see you when I see the past

Cut coldly in a song for the brave

Don’t weep for me my lovely

I carried your love always

I’ll keep you close to my heart

Beating fast in this dream in the dance hall