Swan Song

Empty seats encircle me
Two hundred feet below
If one is full I cannot tell
Through blinding spotlight glow

The music starts, I shyly bow
Cradling hands wrapped with gauze
Arms raised, legs flare in stance
To fanciful applause

My earnest ballet begins
These writhing limbs a-splayed
Twisting round and round upon
A rusted razor blade

Feathers drift upon the air
Some silent spectral rain
Mirroring my devilish dance
But not my growing strain

Gasps echo about the tent
Falling upon my ear
Are those mine as I wheeze
Aloft this ledge most shear?

Balance sways, footing gives,
I tumble with a sigh
Curtain drops, this grand encore
No more can I defy