this particular dance

I don’t know how to do it

this dance

and I’ve always hated doing things I’m not good at
at least until
I got good at them
and this particular dance makes me feel
like I’m falling over my feet

or worse
yours

what if
instead
we walked a while

I never was a good multi-tasker
or dancer
of this particular dance

but when we walk
I can think
listen
talk

When I’m mucking about having to focus
on getting the moves
right
and when I’m dancing where I should be walking
all I can think about
is finding the damn road map

Ironic
since no map-following
would likely be the better
route
in this journey
meandering back roads
tripping up surprise hills
and
into hidden trails

And see
dancing is for eyes closed

and not thinking
or
steps
or
directions

or
finding
“truth” in something
outside the dancer

especially when it doesn’t exist
yet

dancing is for
revelling
in that thing
already
found

 
 
This is a Magpie Tale.  To find more creative takes on this and other wonderful photo prompts, visit here.  Give it a try – creativity is good for you!

Comments

[Helen]

Tricky ... that dance through life. Wonderful Magpie you've written.

[Susannah]

Oh Jennifer, this is beautiful. So subtle and yet so filled with layers of meaning. I loved it. :-)

[Deborah]

Finding your feet within 'the dance' can be difficult at first ... wonderfully written!

[Lucy Westenra]

I'll be busy for a while penetrating all those layers of meaning!

[Jennifer]

Tricky indeed, Helen! Thank you.

[Jennifer]

Thanks pal! :-)

[Jennifer]

I'm still waiting to get past the "at first" part! Thank you Deborah.

[Jennifer]

Gee, thanks Lucy.

[Glenn Buttkus]

Lovely and lyrical, moving with
your mind, searching for /truth
outside the dancer/; made me
flash on SCENT OF A WOMAN,
where the blind man tangos,
sensing the moves from his
partner, remembering the images
from the past, dancing with his
eyes forever closed, and yet
moving so boldly, so lithely.
This dance of poetics was grand.

[jinksy]

dancing is for
revelling
in that thing
already
found

How true!

[Olivia]

Beautiful..!!
A very nice read indeed.. Thank you for sharing this.. :)

I sincerely invite you to join our 18th potluck beginning this Sunday, Hope to see you at Http://www.jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/
Week 18 Theme: Languages, Signs and Symbol. Poets , especially First Time Participants are also welcome to share old poems or poems unrelated to our theme..
Let me know if you have questions…hope to see you in… Your participation delights us, keep writing, and keep sharpening your talent … xoxox

[Jennifer]

Thank you Olivia!

[willow]

Ah, the dance of life does have some pretty tricky steps. I can especially relate to "I’ve always hated doing things I’m not good at". Wonderful piece, Jennifer.

[Jennifer]

Glenn - you always make me sound so good! :-)

[lisahgolden]

You are such a talent. I love the way this flowed. Like steps to a dance.

[Jennifer]

Aw gee - I'm honoured you should say, pal.

[Jennifer]

Quite tricky. Thanks Tess! It was a beautiful prompt.

[Jingle Poetry]

welcome sharing your poems with our poetry potluck today..

you can link in 1 to 3 old poems or poems unrelated to our theme , have fun.

you got talent, keep it up.

[Jennifer]

Thank you Jingle!

[Jennifer]

:-)

[Little hat]

I'm catching up on my reading. This one made me go Ahhhhh. The nice soft version, not the scream version. I see the subtext and think you have captured the idea beautifully. The 'dance' could have been a bit cliched but you've avoided that - again through your honesty I suspect.

[Jennifer]

The nice soft Ahhhhh is what I need for this dance. I suppose if I asked you to say that a little louder (all the way from Australia) it would defeat the purpose?

Thanks for calling it honest Steve - I suppose it was - in my "avoiding-coming-straight-out-with-it" sort of way.

[Selma]

Your final line is just perfect. I couldn't agree more. Love the rhythm. Love the sentiment. Love how this makes me want to dance!

[Jennifer]

Dance away sister!