Blue Velvet

Out on a walk
The day after Christmas 2018
It shows itself brown and grey
Down here below
Blue skies and white clouds above
Gusts of arctic chill
And a quick flurry of flakes
Spins my memory back to winter and school.

Do you have memories of the Snowflake Swirl?
Twisted crepe paper slung from the basketball backboards.
Sawdust on the hardwood floor
Maybe 1963,
Semi-formal
I wore my Sunday blue suit with the skinny tie
And you swirled in shimmering chiffon
As Bobby Vinton sang “Blue Velvet.”
(and maybe the Beach Boys rocking “Surfin’ U.S.A?”
Or “Hey Paula” by Paul and Paula?)
Were they singing to me?

I wasn’t much of a dancer
But I would seldom pass up the chance for a slow dance
(thank you Bobby V.)
Seldom were the opportunities to hold your favorite girl
In your novice arms.
I think maybe Mr. Hutchison and Miss Mattis were chaperones.
I think they didn’t care to notice
If the dancer’s embrace was too close?
What was it, 6 inches?

Joyous laughter and nervous chatter
Found release in a fast dance
“Wipe Out” by The Surfaris, maybe?
And maybe a couple’s fight
Someone broke up
Someone else fell in love
And then the last dance
Was it "Our Day Will Come" by Ruby and the Romantics?
And then the magic spell was broken
At least for that Winter’s moment…

You were there, weren’t you?

And didn’t we dance?