The Dance
Fall 2000
New Orleans

Who lives in our house
Is it soldiers now
Is it empty, what a waste
Rooms left messy in my haste

I carried one suitcase
Of course I held the baby
Children carried what I could pack
In a hatbox and a rucksack

Months since we’ve been here
And how I miss you dear
They took our son to some other camp
I don’t know if I’ll get him back

Mrs. Van der Wijk sleeps on the palette next to mine
Interrupts my dreams with her loud lamenting
Just when the dancing was commencing

Take my hand and lead my feet
Our day in the sun was sweet

I’m down, down, down
Just can’t get around
Sonja takes care of the baby
I’d never tell her, might get a big head, but
She has the patience of a saint

And I’m down, down, down
Don’t know how I’ll make it round and round
How many moons till the end of the war
I sleep when I can so I can dream more

Take my hand and lead my feet
Our day in the sun was sweet
Spin me round before I wake
The sun’s gone down and I can’t picture your face

Who lives in our house
Is it soldiers now
Tearing my lace and breaking my china
And if it’s all gone, how will you find us?