Dazzle of dances

The floors and fears

I used to entertain

are now my playground.

Watch me spin and dip,

smile brighter than Mom’s new china.

My partner and I compete like tigers,

stripes dazzling

the carefully watching forest and fields.

Almost every Tuesday you’ll find me there,

flying to country swing,

moving my hips like Latinos do—It’s all in the knees.

Maybe I’ll find him here, maybe the next partner

who moves in time with me,

teeth gleaming, hair shining. I dance

like others breathe, taking courage from the bass

sauntering through the tiles underfoot,

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

trembling like the world before a major earthquake.

Three, four, dip. Swing me right, rip me back in

like a yoyo. Behind, in front.

One two three four, jump, drop

with force like a bullet. The dazzle of dance

dulls the damage of the dreary,

hoping for a love that lasts longer than three minutes.

Skipper school

Shipshape,

if only the boards

stopped inviting water through

for a drink and a leisurely chat.

If only the windows would open enough

to let the sun’s reflection through.

If only the sails didn’t tear

at every breath of wind.

Pound the hammer again,

straighten nails sharper than cruel tongues.

Rip the board again, fasten the floors

tighter than the cracks between doors and doorways.

Captain to one,

one helm gently spinning,

one chair cold and open.

Comfort in redundancy.

But my heart argues with the mind—the Captain makes the voyage.

The Captain fears the voyage.

The Captain voyages through fears.

Looking for you.