Melissa Manchester Follow

RUBY AND THE DANCER

Fallen on hard times
The girl came home at last
With her baggage of bad times
Her presents from the past

Made the elders’ eyes to follow
When she cried,
“If you’re looking for my love,
Pass me by.”

She was gonna be a dancer
Gifted by gods and kings
And it all came so natural
Moving on angel's wings

She said “Ruby, you knew me
When my life was gay--
But it you’re looking for my heart
Look away.”

Now the elders she passes
Simply stop to stare
“It’s a shame about the dancer
And the poor boy she left here.”

"Ah, but Ruby you loved me well
The elders knew it too
So will you take me with you now
Or have they taken you?"

“I am not bad or crazy
I live here in a forest
I see things through a rainbow
I am a blossom come alive.

They have no way with changes
They come in faceless numbers
They cannot see my garden
For I grew up on dreams

Some of us may never grow
But all of us need to know
We need gardens to bloom in
For there must always be room enough
For all of us.”