Come Fly Away

by Kim Van Sickler

The other night I attended a presentation of Twyla Tharp's Frank Sinatra-inspired fusion of modern dance, ballet, and jazz called Come Fly Away. Using twenty-seven of Frank Sinatra's signature songs, Tharp's choreography tells the story of four couples falling in and out of love from the toe-curling moments of a first kiss to the indifferent look of an ex dangling from someone else's arm.

I was inspired. If Twyla can take twenty-seven Frank Sinatra songs and tell a love story in movement, why can't I take one line from each of those songs and create a comprehensive love story in words? Here's what I came up with.

Here's the last toast of the evening, here's to those who still believe:

I've got a little story you ought to know:
Picture a little love nest,
when our love was new.
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo.


That sly come hither stare,
my lean baby, tall and thin.
Yes, you're lovely with your smile so warm.
Yes sir, that's my baby now.

Ain't gonna miss a thing, I'm gonna have my fling.
I want to run and play hide-and-seek.




Did you say I've got a lot to learn?
I'm as awkward as a camel.


Yet you're my favorite work of art.

The cigarettes you light one after another.

There may be trouble ahead;
you might refuse to stay.

A little voice keeps talking to me from way down deep inside.
Why be afraid of it?

You are all I long for.
These vagabond shoes are longing to stay.
I'll gladly surrender myself to you body and soul.

I pick myself up and get back in the race.

I'm gonna make a brand new start of it,
until you're in my arms once more.