The Backpack Press

What if you asked me to dance?

Would you see that I don’t know how?
Would you feel me resist when you offer your hand?
Would you sense my fear
as you placed your arm around my back?

We’re talking
saying nothings
not listening to each other
but the music.

Please let me sit down.
I’m embarrassed, exposed,
I’m afraid.
All bravado with no substance as we move together,
All silk and feathers’ essence as the music plays
and the players ignore us.

I want to beg you to let me stop
but I can’t say anything now
because the dance
the dancing
the dancing with you
takes hold
and I understand that I knew how to dance all along.

It’s just today
I am learning
how to dance
with

you.