Back then

people went to dances because

that's what people did

they dressed up

men in suit and tie

women in nice dresses

they sat at tables with their friends

and talked and talked until

the band struck up

then every dance was danced

by the happy couples

there was no sitting down

that wonderful music was their magic carpet

lifting them above the drudgery of their daily lives

as the band played tune after tune

the couples danced until midnight

round and round the floor

embraced in each others arms

what a wonderful experience it was

to hold your woman near

and smell her perfume

her very essence so warm and close

each couple had a song

"their song" aptly chosen to represent their love

the song was always requested

to be played by the band

and then danced to as a reminder

of their courtship and their youth

times were different then

people danced for pure enjoyment

for simple pleasure

caught up in the magic of the music

they danced until the very last song

each song a souvenir of the night

long playing in their minds

Their Song still echoing in their memory.