Dance

one. two.
tap your heels and dance!
but we did not dance. we did
not heat cold shoulders
with a warm hand.

or wear a coat.
coats were once-upon-a-time
like advice.
living behind nan's yellow teeth
what once was in the air.
until she clicked.

and now is only you.

your touch:
the validation of life.
you find things
that are dead. toeing the dirt.

an uncertainty.
until yes. yes, you are alive.
you. it's only ever been about you.

one. two.
tap your heels and dance!
but we did not dance. we did
not look at long skirts,
nor wish for a pinched mouth.

just a partner for mom
speed-dialing a moustache.
she took up dance class. you think.
she is trying to be you. though can't

see things that have died. a fox-

trot a tango.
the dancer in the music box
that mirrors your dusty house. boys.

the sum of all shoes. stinking
up love: they talk to the others.
about you. too much.
nikes are your gooseflesh.

and everything points to when.

one. two.
tap your heels and dance!
but we did not dance. we did
not flick our skirts for grades
in gym. alive we were
back then. and our bodies not for sale.