Red Chalk Circle

the clock strikes twelve on the iron plate
two heavy boots by the garden gate

you drop a silver coin upon the bar
it rolls and stops beside an empty jar
the corner table smells of bitter pine
a stranger taps the counter next to mine
he draws a circle with a piece of chalk
and says he only came to watch us walk

step right into the middle of the floor
spin with the shadow by the cellar door
count one two three and keep your balance tight
we move together in the yellow light
hold on the hand that makes the floorboards shake
and pay the price for every turn we take

the jukebox clicks and plays a frantic tune
he leaves his leather jacket on the stool
his fingernails are painted matte and black
he pulls my arm and will not let it back
the dust goes rising where our heels collide
no exit open on the northern side

step right into the middle of the floor
spin with the shadow by the cellar door
count one two three and keep your balance tight
we move together in the yellow light
hold on the hand that makes the floorboards shake
and pay the price for every turn we take

the neon flickering above the bar
shows up a jagged white and ancient scar
he matches every leap across the room
a partner made of sulfur and perfume
I bet my silver ring to match his pace
I look directly in his grinning face

step right into the middle of the floor
spin with the shadow by the cellar door
count one two three and keep your balance tight
we move together in the yellow light
hold on the hand that makes the floorboards shake
and pay the price for every turn we take

he drops a copper key into my hand
I drop it fast into the bucket sand
his breath smells like a strike of kitchen match
he pulls the handle on the basement latch
I twist away and grab the railing rail
to keep my boots from sliding off the scale

the music slows down to a wooden beat
the friction burning on our tired feet
he tries to pull me down into the dark
I kick the table and I leave a mark
he leans in close to whisper in my ear
I turn away because I know no fear