Dancing for the Soldiers

I saw you dancing for the soldiers, they’d gathered all around

You were fearsome in your lightness, you didn’t touch the ground

Did you learn it from your father? Would it make your mother proud?

You were dancing for the soldiers,

I was hidden in the crowd

I saw you dancing for the soldiers with your village in your bones

I felt a thousand ages and a thousand leagues from home

You collected up the coins and you collected up the smokes

You were dancing for the soldiers,

I was standing in the cold

They were weather worn in uniform, lions in the height of day

Dreading further orders like devils sick of prey

Smoking in their corners, happier to wait

You were dancing for the soldiers,

I was watching through the gate

I saw you dancing for the soldiers, a bandura called the tune

I thought of summer in the mountains, a thick Carpathian June

But the shadows all around us were the silhouettes of ruin

You were dancing for the soldiers,

I was squinting through the gloom

I saw you dancing for the soldiers, though I dreamed that it was me

I’d have flowers all in garlands and embroiders down my sleeve

And you’d dash my heart wide open like there were roses in your teeth

You’d bring the planets closer and you would lift me from my feet

And in the morning glow you’d be beside me in my sleep

You were dancing for the soldiers,

But I dream you’d dance for me