Velvet Curtain

I swept up the garbage, the cups and the wrappers
The theater was empty, the crowd had gone home
A circle of dust in the light from the rafters
The wooden broom handle, a microphone
And i sang to the dark rows, all velvet and empty
The curtain majestic, in folds to the floor
I sang so the angels would never forget me
The rush of their robes as they rose up for more
The night circled in like a dog in the alley
All matted and skinny, and face full of hurt
The theater still ringing, with lost dreams of glory
The echoing voices of some brighter world
And i sang to the mezzanine, the gold-painted ceiling
The orchestra spinning, the bright chandelier
I sang so the angels would feel what i’m feeling
An empty so deep, i’m afraid i’m not here
The last note it lingered, the dust settled round me
A silence so heavy, it cut to the bone
And deep in the shadows, the rustle of clapping
I rushed to the back row, still holding the broom
And a man who had crept in, all haggard and dirty
A bag of belongings, and tears in his eyes
I’ll never forget this, he said as he left me
I needed to hear someone singing tonight