A group of us who still walk
are urged to get up and dance
when entertainment comes.
We hold hands and move
in a circle.
I find myself shy with Leslie on my right
and Anthony on my left.
Lisa Marie and Carrie dance with us
to make sure we don’t fall.
They hold us up as if we are
overgrown dolls.

Lily loves to dance and once
became so exuberant that
she jumped into Mark’s arms,
Mark not minding when any
woman jumps in his arms.
Lily blushed but smiled radiantly.

I often wobble, but Carrie holds
on to the back elastic of my pants.
We are toddlers learning to walk.
Dumb, ignorant legs,
simple-minded legs
or we are old trees being cut down
and the ones in their prime bend over
to catch us.

01/24/2006

Posted on 01/24/2006
Copyright © 2024 Lisa Marie Brodsky