Dance

We all have such small lives

Enclosed by the taut or sagging leather of our bodies And a few colored rags to make us seem a little larger To others whose lives are similarly small.

We hurl our desires in flimsy metal sails from no place to nowhere And back

To mouth empty waves of air to ears that don’t understand.

We say hello, we say goodbye.

It’s all the same word.

And then there’s dancing,

One step forward, one step back behind Long, almost a curtsy.

Then twirl around.

Stop - arms raised.

Head bowed.

Another step forward, another back Behind then twirl and stop.

Raised and bowed and dip.

Is he the dancer or the dance?