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Following

by Maureen Glaude

she’d always had a habit
of adding little hops
when they slow-danced,
making it hard for him to lead

"quit that," he'd remind
but despite all her efforts
she never could
so they just laughed
and danced on...

the morning before his appointment
to learn if his bone cancer was returning
as they suspected
they slow-danced to all their favorite ballads
for hours, in the farmhouse kitchen

afterward he told her
she’d lost her little hops
for the first time since he'd known her
and never followed more closely

04/05/2004

Author's Note: for my sister Marilyn, and her husband Jack. Will probably be re-titled "The Morning Before"

Posted on 04/05/2004
Copyright © 2024 Maureen Glaude

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Heide McAlister-Bates on 04/05/04 at 02:09 PM

Lovely.

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/05/04 at 04:43 PM

Lots of dance floor to practice (makes perfect) in the new addition Jack built. A little comedy and seriousness nicely mixed together. You make it sound that the cancer or at least fear of cancer may have caused Mare to lose her hop. Fun slice of life piece all round.

Posted by Dana E Brossard on 04/05/04 at 04:57 PM

Beautiful, very soft and loving with a sad tone near the end, very well done.

Posted by Glenn Currier on 04/07/04 at 03:23 AM

What a poingnant sight you give my mind's eye... a vision of true love and a reminder that the shortness of life can be less fearful when it is accompanied by moments of the spiritit... moments of intimacy that transcent the body. I too love the way you blend wonder with a bit of sadness.

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