Velvet Curtain

I swept up the garbage, the cups and the wrappers The theater was empty, the crowd had gone home A circle of dust in the light from the rafters The wooden broom handle, a microphone And i sang to the dark rows, all velvet and empty The curtain majestic, in folds to the floor I sang so the angels would never forget me The rush of their robes as they rose up for more The night circled in like a dog in the alley All matted and skinny, and face full of hurt The theater still ringing, with lost dreams of glory The echoing voices of some brighter world And i sang to the mezzanine, the gold-painted ceiling The orchestra spinning, the bright chandelier I sang so the angels would feel what i’m feeling An empty so deep, i’m afraid i’m not here The last note it lingered, the dust settled round me A silence so heavy, it cut to the bone And deep in the shadows, the rustle of clapping I rushed to the back row, still holding the broom And a man who had crept in, all haggard and dirty A bag of belongings, and tears in his eyes I’ll never forget this, he said as he left me I needed to hear someone singing tonight