in my soul she dances on,

tuned to a polka her feet,

swish of expensive velvet

big teeth white and neat

 

dance band chords echo

wind and brass combine

but can't erase the stink

of spilt burnt turpentine

 

smoke up my nostrils

provoked by her deeds

loung lizards basking

careless of my needs

 

tunes one after another

standards she'd adored

at her funeral I gave in

standing there I roared

 

handcuffs the reminder

arson can result in life,

no convict merits fire

even my straying wife

 

embers waft in a cell

disallowed matches.

on rows glow notes of

melodies in snatches

 

sheets of fire music

inferno plea rankles,

the burning stilettos

her blistered ankles