On a Grey Thread/To a Young Dancing Girl
To a Young Dancing Girl
Golden-eyed girl, do you see what I see?Do you see behind the veil that Life laughs through?Golden-eyed girl, I would like to laugh with you.But my veil is torn, and I see things passLike shadows in the depths of a crystal glass.
Golden-eyed girl, you are young as springtime,Your great eyes are dreamful, your rare lips sweet.Shadows matter little to youth with dancing feet.All of Life's skeletons wear gay dressesAnd youth is deceived by even Death's caresses.
Golden-eyed girl, you have years to dance and wonderBefore your Life's curtain will wear into holesAnd let you see the hopelessness hidden in souls.You have many moons of laughter, many years to goBefore you'll learn how heavy dancing feet can grow.