Michael Kahn

What You Heard

I was young and I was green

Not yet twenty-two

I knew you were from some other scene

You were just passing through

 

But you could move it out on that dance floor

You were throwing sparks

Like I’d never seen before

And I had to see more

 

I spun you round in ten directions

Your face was on fire

My brain was burning all connections

Like a high-voltage wire

 

I was lost in the green depths of your eyes

I had to know the girl

Behind your cool disguise

I had to win the prize

 

Well we talked for a while

Standing at the bar

You were sweet

But I just couldn’t tell

Who you are

 

You dragged me back to feel the beat

Of the pounding drums

You moved so light on feather feet

I felt I was all thumbs

 

You were a case I could never hope to plea

You were the last ray of light

As the sun sinks into the sea

Or so it felt to me

 

Then I said a few words

When your back was turned

You didn’t answer

But I didn’t care

My body just burned

 

We danced until the band packed up

Then the spell was broke

I couldn’t stand to see you go

Were the very words I spoke

 

You were smiling in a way I’d never seen

You told me then that you

Were completely deaf since the day

You turned sixteen

 

I wanted to take you in my arms

But you said not a word

You were salt and sweet

And as you left

I wondered what you heard