It was a dance
a slow waltz
one she had learned in her childhood

a simple step
the box

Her teacher told her
“Stay in the box
no twirling
no spinning
nothing fancy
just the box.”

So she stepped
expressionless
following the boy in front of her

Her face was hidden by
a jeweled mask

and as they danced
something caught
and tugged the strings

ever so slightly
the mask slipped
but did not fall
not yet

oblivious
he led
she followed
an eternal dance

The music will stop
if the spell can be broken
and the masks lost