Spoken:
It’s an unusual sight at the Wallflower ball 
where a band plays a waltz in a moonlit old hall. 
The floor is deserted, no couples at all 
just single folks dancing alongside the walls.

What wonderful walls at the wallflower ball 
made of roses and violets and orange blossom boughs.
The dancers dance by each wall as they spin
with a gaze turned to watching what’s deeper within. 
All dance in their arms at home in their skin 
to a beat deep below their losses and wins.
It’s one two three, let it be, come on again
til that waltz with themselves comes to an end. 

There’s Frieda whose fierceness belies her small size. 
She’d fought in the army, she’d cut railroad ties. 
She said she fell short of whatever she tried 
but she mostly fell short in her father’s eyes. 
Now she’s turning out tall near the orange blossom boughs 
as she makes her own way round the Wallflower ball. 

Take it, Frieda. (waltz instrumental)

Henry’s a girl, never hid that too well
so the boys in his class beat him to hell.
No one stood with him, they left him alone
so for years he just beat himself up on his own.
Now the daisies talk to her, each petal that falls
it’s only I-love-you’s at the Wallflower ball.

Bridge:
Dance with your heart whatever the cost.  
Dance with the part of yourself that you lost.
Dance with the flowers, dance to resume. 
Dance til you’re ready to blossom and bloom.

Take it, Henrietta. (waltz instrumental)

A planet goes round the Wallflower ball
through bouquets of asters upon a blue wall.
It’s writing up poems without any words.
It’s sloshing its oceans, it’s rocking its birds.
It’s got a big heart, call it absurd
but it’s singing to you and hoping you heard.

Bridge:
Dance with your heart whatever the cost.  
Dance with the part of yourself that you lost.
Dance with the flowers, dance to resume. 
Dance til you’re ready to blossom and bloom.

Take it, World. (waltz instrumental)

Photo: Sebastian Luna, pexels.com