embers fading in the emptiness of the night
broken promises fill the air
smell of wine hides the fragrance of fear
oozing from the hearts of the lonely crowd of revelers
deep within, the heat rises from the embers
the tension builds
the darkness cloaks a panic‑filled room of salmon going upstream
in search of home, but very unlikely to ever find it
music cascades over the mob
like waves beating on a forgotten beach
at every table, hidden by the shadows, hope stirs
seeking for the mirror...the salt...the touch...the breathy voice
they come from every corner of life
in search of some elusive moment on the stage
alone...in the crowd of smiling, desperate faces
silent...in the cacophony of sound springing all around
eyes catch, hearts leap, smiles flash
connecting for a brief moment, in the darkness
no longer alone...hidden in the shadows
hope shining like a beacon in a storm
magic flowing like a river, running through the room
through it...through her...through him...through them...through time
he puts his chin in his hand and touches his lips with his thumb
she lifts an eyebrow and tilts her head so slightly
imagination sufficient to make up the difference
embers...flaming up again