Midnight at the Ball

by Naomi L. | July 24, 2015 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry | 2 comments

I knew it was love.
When we danced, the world stood still.
Then the clock chimed once.

Suddenly she froze.
Timidly, I took her hand
As the clock chimed twice.

Just one kiss, I wished.
At the third chime, I leaned in…
But she turned and fled.

Four chimes in, I paused.
That was when I realized,
I don’t know her name.

Terror seized my heart.
No, I cannot lose her now.
Five chimes in, I ran.

Chasing after her,
I could hear the sixth chime ring.
Please come back, I begged.

At the seventh chime,
All I found upon the stairs
Was her glass slipper.

As the eighth chime rang,
I looked down and saw her there,
Running through the doors.

Glass slipper in hand,
I followed her down the path
To the clock’s ninth chime.

I stopped at the gate.
The tenth chime sent her carriage
Out into the night.

Eleven chimes in.
Desperately I called to her.
Just once, she looked back.

Midnight, she was gone.
Lovesick and alone I stood
As the clock struck twelve.