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