Charleston

Charleston and Foxtrot and shimmynshake
Cigars and Edison bulbs and diamonds and shiny black pianos
I let ruby lips wander by her emerald-adorned ear
The smell of smoke and satin and secrets wafting through the air
Trills of eyeshadow and bold brassy notes of rouge
We painted our knees and elbows and lips and they smudge as we swing and smooch
Addicts to music and movement and people
Rolled hair and stockings and risky ideas and ticklish perfume
Charleston and Foxtrot and shimmynshake
Flowers filtering tobacco and India ink on shoulders and hips and sin before it hits the street
Absinthe in little green glasses that slick our hair and twist our words to treacle
Waltzing underground cast in candlelight under chandelier candelabras 
Trapeze rumors and passing notes like poker chips
Charleston and Foxtrot and shimmynshake