To understand
you must know
Nate is Eight
this is really important
We have a daughter
two sons
and a Nate
who is eight
Nate drew a stage
on the beach
with Nate's big toe
Nate marked squares
on the stage
in the sand
Nate danced in each square
a completely different move
or position
for each square
in Nate's dance box
Nate flung her arms
Nate shook her butt
S/he slowly lowered the pointed foot
with beauty and grace
and complete and utter abandon
There was classical ballet
hip hop, jazz, and modern
We watched amused and then
we were in awe
there was no shyness
no embarrassed self consciousness
it was full on
all in
spin, shake, and twirl Nate's whole self
with only the sound
of the waves beating
against the sand
when Nate stopped
It was my turn
I had to overcome
my own shyness
the fear of being laughed at
a silly ferocious fear
And then I did my best moves
Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire, Baryshnikov
And when I started
feeling embarrassed
as the beach goers gawked
I remembered Nate
who is Eight
threw myself with joyful abandon
into my grand leap
It is this decision
to dance in Nate's Dance Box
which now outlines
my art of being in this world
the question is now forever
before me, and now before you:
will you dance?
(Pictures by Caroline Wilgen)
