Dancing Out of Time
by Charlene Baldridge
June 24, 2008 — Published in Verse
I’m so sick of classical music
that my ear cuff sings the blues.
I lost his silver twin years ago
so now, whenever I feel
the need of a hug,
I must wear gold.
The young man who owns
Café Zia dances with a mop.
He is curious about my ear cuff.
Guess he’s never seen an old woman
wearing a lover on her ear.
The golden cuff whispers
in a language only I understand,
keeps me from weeping
somewhere on El Cajon Blvd.
midway between my sister’s birthday
and the anniversary of my son’s death.
The golden man wraps his legs around
the edge of my ear and holds on tightly:
he knows my life depends on it.
Early in the morning,
when I want to sleep some more,
I spread my fingers wide,
lay my hand gently over my head,
and pretend it is Robert, comforting me.
That way, I can forgive him
over and over again
for dying out of time.
Charlene Baldridge
As set by Jake Heggie, Charlene’s poems are heard on concert platforms, sung by Frederica von Stade. Widely published, Charlene, 74, performs her work with musicians, most recently at San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of the Living Artist and Kensington Concerts.
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