Dancing Lessons
Look, she said, at the colours that flash as I turn,
Reds, auburns, russets, golds
Breathe, she said, breathe the air that stops as I pass,
Soft, hushed, calm, electric
Listen, she said, to the music that follows my moves,
Songs, whistles, drums of the forest
Smell, she said, smell my perfume as I sway,
Still turning heads and breaking hearts
Feel, she said, feel the strength of my feet
Solid, rooted, grounded
Watch, she said, watch the swirl of my skirt
Watch it fold, and dance, and twirl,
As I scatter confetti
As I move in the forest
As I dance to the birdsong
As I breathe out my perfume
As I stand here sure-footed
In my full female power
Watch, she said
As I swing through the seasons
As I dance through the decades
Learn, she said
As I shake my leaves
As I twirl my skirt
As I show you just how to dance.
~~~
Inspired by this gorgeous tree at the side of the River Earn, whose bark reminded me of the swirl of a skirt, and who looked gorgeous and graceful enough to be a dancing queen.
Thanks to Amy Palko at Less Ordinary for the additional inspiration to dare to write (and publish and share) something creative on Will You Join The Dance?
Additional comments powered by BackType
6 comments
Oh, Joanna, it’s just gorgeous! I love how the repetition within the poem works, and how the rhythm builds. Makes me want to dance along! And I love too that it was inspired by the tree – even more special.
Amy
xx
Beautiful. I just love this for so many reasons, but most of all just because it is. It just breathes so beautifully…and I am refreshed. Those trees, well they do dance don’t they? Beautiful, lyrical, rhythmic words Joanna. Makes me want to twirl a bit on a path such as this one. Thank you. I am smiling.
>>>A writer dances on her path, lovely words from @joannayoung http://writingwalks.com/dancing-lessons/
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Truly stunning! RT @jancartier: >>>A writer dances on her path, lovely words from @joannayoung: http://tinyurl.com/ygr7vdp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Beautiful! RT @jancartier >>>A writer dances on her path, lovely words from @joannayoung http://writingwalks.com/dancing-lessons/
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
[...] Joanna Young: Dancing Lessons [...]
Leave a Comment