excited chatter by the four-poster
keeping the chamber alive while
valets fuss around brushing hems
and hiding hairpins into skulls --
ow, watch it, will you?
truly sorry, ma'am, keep still --
cameos border the necklines with
curves equally adorned (full or not)
and tiny curls falling carefully over
white foreheads
and shoetips are drowned by smell of anticipation
streaming through the air
at the threshold they have to focus
moods tighten, eyes sharpen
to carry themselves with been-there grace
and when they arrive, it has begun,
just another debut even for old hands --
unbelievable, have you heard?
dear me, yes, such negligence
poor girl, I would die of shame --
but the ball goes on
and if heels get too heavy, they'll be paid back
there's only so much a piece
of embroidery can do --
where have you bought that?
no, no, I found this
surely? cross my heart --
and the ball goes on,
without so much as a droplet of
earl grey spilled on a petticoat
and a lacy waist starts to speak and
everyone is listening and
not one crystal in the chandelier dares quiver
with bodice and corset ruling the room
a head turns, a glint of lorgnette
lights up the great hall for a second
and the ball goes on --
what nice weather, is your family well?
yes, indeed, my eldest just married
charming, charming --
and then a maid drops the tray and
the hostess shoos her, everyone looks
and the lacy waist blushes and
the ball is over until it goes on again
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