Making all my moves personal
keeping up or slowing down
with Alan and Gretchen
belting out ballads of cheatin’ hearts
or fast ones about "five o’clock somewhere"
and "redneck women"

locked in by myself
warmed up
in a black leotard
by yogic stretches
then bursting out in freestyle
dance, I’m both
featured artist and
choreographer

the build-up of sound and motion
lures me
from one step into the irresistible
others, adding kicks, bends, sidesteps
with the invisible company
of the rest of the chorus line

country line shuffles and
ballet arabesques
all harmonized together to
the direction of the music
in spiritual link that incorporates
the body to the sound

twirls and advances, then retreats
sweet-felt curls of the spine, then arches
forward bends towards an audience
of street lights
over snow from the bedroom window

no feedback on performance
from a partner or a teacher

no correction or adjustment
self-motivation the only lead
in this pace and flow for one, for now
that slides eager feet across the hardwood
turn-out, points of toes
not scrutinized, except for minor touches, by self,
and in a forgiving mood
from one small mirror
that can’t keep up with the spontaneous
switch of pace
the energy, excitement, improvisation
orgasmic

the afterglow and ache at cool-down
as breathing settles,
a reminder of
what’s been done and
reached this time

some innovations to be
likely carried as by-product, later
to more public
dance floors

12/27/2004