Nate's Dance Square

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)