We were learned in trapping
thoughts, in holding tongues –
in gluing ourselves back together
in private only to subsequently
fall apart when again alone.
We knew the art of
singing in silence
and of turning things around
to avoid having to look
too closely at the mirror
or having to admit the
indomitable existence
of our dreams.
We hung ourselves on walls,
smiled religiously
and quietly said our prayers.

We knew well the places
To go to hide from ourselves
but found ourselves, by then,
increasingly less inclined
to visit them.
We were becoming accustomed
to our newly dilated pupils -
having made our way, mostly,
through the temporary
blindness that comes of having
extracted oneself from the
deep dark of the wings to
tumble into the initially
overwhelming bright lights
of center stage.
We knew our place –
but it no longer mattered.

We went about the business
of unlearning in slow
motion at first – with the
awkwardness of teenagers
attempting to reproduce the
graceful movements
that had been demonstrated once
before them in a Saturday
afternoon dance class –
the result of their parents
having seen one too many
romantic musical productions.

We felt, though, like movie stars…
You in your outdated tuxedo –
its tails pointing toward your sneakers
and I, in a second hand wedding gown
that I had been inclined to dye blue.
Step - together - step - together
Your back, strong –
my head tilted just so,
our gaze fixed on one another –
half smiles curling our lips
at the corners.

And it was strange and wonderful
and admittedly, perhaps, ridiculous
but it would have seemed somehow
even more gauche to have been
so foolish to have denied
ourselves the stage.
We’d spin and trip, trip and spin
grinning at times at our own clumsiness,
grabbing on to one another
to regain our balance – and
catching one another
each time we fell.

We moved on and on,
gaining confidence and skill
with each new movement
experienced together there
in each other’s arms.
It felt like forever that we
stayed there together
holding our breath and waiting...
for the music to begin.

But, finally, upon the arrival
of that very first note,
as you extended your hand,
you would smile and
ever so wonderfully inquire

“Shall we dance?”

And immediately,
for simply having done so,
you would so completely
and so elegantly
sweep
me
away.



Copyright © Silent-No-More ... [ 2006-08-09 01:48:19]
(Date/Time posted on site)