this is how it ends
how it always ends
my hands on your hipbones
your hands outstretched into the air
the first part of the dance is spectacular
and the middle part is sublime
and each is different every time
i mean
i am sure they are
but for the life of me
i can't remember any part of them
the only part that is left
beaming through my memory
is what happens
in the last few notes
as you can tell the song
is winding down
and there has to be an ending
the lights fade out on me
and the only illumination
is one sharp edged spotlight
surrounding you
as you move slowly
towards the front
of the stage
then you start to move faster
running like you have no idea
the floor beneath your feet
is about to run out
and just as you reach a point
a few feet from the edge
you leap into the air
stretched out into a perfect swan dive
and as you reach the highest point
on the very last note
the point
just before you would naturally
begin to descend
you feel my hands on your hipbones
and you know then
once again
i was moving along with you
every single step of the way
you know then
the echo of your footfall
was mine
you feel my hands on your hipbones
supporting you from underneath
lifting you along the same arc you started
but higher
until you are suspended
directly over my head
the spotlight streaming into your eyes
the last note fading into the distance
your arms spread as wide as your smile
a smile born of knowing
this is how it ends
how it always ends
knowing every time you leap
into the bright darkness
i am there to lift you higher.
