The ball had since begun, and I
Arrived quite fashionably late.
My chauffeur steered my car beyond
The peculiar wrought iron gates,
Which assured us, though we moved on,
That they would sit behind and wait,
As if the snickering gargoyles
Had some inkling about our fates.

The car pulled around to the door
Where valets were attending all.
The ruckus rumbling outside seemed
Like the crashing of waterfalls.
Two porters opened my door and
Granted admittance to the hall
While my car was herded away
Like cattle corralled into stalls.

Chandeliers did illuminate
The place, exposing its mystique.
Bats and fowl were mounted in flight;
I almost thought I heard their shrieks.
Further examination showed
Someone had painted every beak.
The talons each clutched papyrus,
Which bore the names of ancient Greeks.

Another servant fetched me ere
I had further time to enhance
My understanding of this subject,
Guiding me on to the dances.
There arrayed in their disguises
They performed a curious prance
Basking in anonymity.
The wallflowers took no chances.

The damsels were all sashes and
Peacock feathers, sequins, and lace.
Powder and make-up and wigs were
Used to conceal any traces
Of identity. All wore masks
That they might more fully erase
Their features. At a masquerade
People seek to hide their faces.

Like a wallflower I stood still,
Taking in this confusing sight.
For nowhere else could one find
Filthy peasants waltzing with knights,
Nor queens dancing with demons. ‘Twas
A swirling sea of black and white,
Whose austerity focused my

Sight on the color ‘neath the lights.
A voluptuous mademoiselle
Alone in the center did stand,
Which ought to defy all logic.
Lo, she beckons me with her hands.
In all the courts I’ve visited,
I’ve never seen a lass so grand.
How quickly am I smitten by
Her and her flowing, scarlet strands.

I made my way to her eagerly,
Bowing as she my lips did bless
With a kiss on her hand. She placed
My hand ‘neath her silky tresses.
Across the floor she turned, swayed, and
Swirled in her iridescent dress.
Though she stepped upon my toes, I
Thought of them as sweet caresses.

Her smiles and giggles enchant me.
Oh! How eagerly I succumb.
Despite the music, all I hear
Is the gossamer song she hums.
If the world had vanished, I’d not
Have known. I was grateful I’d come
That I might dance with this splendor.
The music of my soul she strums.

Each time I tried to see beyond
The mask, she smiled and whispered, “No!”
Her dulcet voice brought to my mind
Peace where an angel reposes.
Ah, heaven for this moment I
Held, though her name I did not know.
Her name’s as darkling as her face,
For no secrets she discloses.

The music stopped as did my heart;
She led me out into the hall.
She hummed her tranquil song once more,
And we danced for the watching walls.
I know not how far it was, but
In her eyes’ abyss I did fall.
I was blithe as our feet did flit
To her rhythm. Then, she did pause.

As gracefully to the mirror
She glode, magic she still did ply,
For I was captivated. Would
Her secrets meet their demise?
She slipped the mask from her visage,
And I’ll remember till I die
The countenance that there I saw.
Our dance was my life’s greatest prize.

If you should dance with Destiny,
Savor the moment. Do not ask,
As I did, wasting my mem’ry,
Of she who in her own light basks
As she stole my heart easily,
“Who is this lady in the mask?”
She remains only as long as
Mysteriousness her bemasks.