Work Text:
do you dance mr darcy
there are so many bodies in this room / tide swell with wave sound / lap at my heels / at my ears each far joyful shout a whisper / air hissed / stale touch / how many hands i shake / how many hands have touched these hands / and touched their hands in turn / about the dance floor / i shall stray / out of touch / out of reach / of these high spirits / corner-backed to insult / to be a stone-carved bust of a man / to get out of here please / these pressing hands and hopeful eyes / these hopeful hands and pressing eyes / and want and want and want / i want to go / even when the rarest wit of company would be / perfectly tolerable / in any other circumstance
not if i can help it
...
are you too proud mr darcy
it feels wrong / to be the centre of your orbit here / to be so under your attention / like i am a new word you are measuring / your mouth shaped / pursed upon my name and soul / you are close and far/ ebb and flow / in flame / in radiance / with a piece of me rolled neatly / hemmed / for your inspection / every time your eye / catches / at a frayed edge I have not ironed down / i am yours to pull apart or / pull together at your leisure / judged by your warmth / revolving sun / you could laugh at me / and i would take pride in your smile
i couldn’t say
...
it is your turn to say something mr darcy
this ballroom / empty but for us / we dance like no one is watching / and they are not / they are far gone / with their frivolity / and wants / and hands / my hands are with yours / and I mind not / the touch / though they will surely char / your palm so light / on mine / my mind burns / the circles you talk around me / no word a greater wound / than the way you leave me / when music fades / to be swallowed by the crowd / where i will surely / drown in courtesies
i’m perfectly happy to oblige
...
do you deny it mr darcy
the rain is so heavy / it feeds me a false touch / as you reject / my hand / this damp embrace / as my heart / drops to stone / how can a man / blind fool of a man / think so much / and yet / to not think / at all / that i hurt you / of course i hurt you / so quick / to conclude / so quick / to ruin / when i am wrong / i am rightly ruined / but i can right your ruin / then depart / to fall apart / alone / again
i do not deny it
...
i would stop / my love / at a breath / from you / at a frown / at a gesture / at a touch / everything / i am / is yours / is your body / is your soul / is your hands / is your mouth / my eyes / your eyes / my heart / your heart / my mind / your mind / do you mind / i am yours / you have / my love /my love /
i love you
well then