Poetry: Issue 3

Memoirs From a Dance Floor

by Rachel Thompson

Their grace was subtle, and I fell into step
with them,

with my eyes.

They didn’t need physical touch to move together

like water.

A business man pulled off his mask

and trampled imaginary papers

under his jazz feet

while spinning the woman

in the red dress.

The floor got slick

when the salsa crowd hit.

Their moves talked sweet,

coaxing the lights

to dance.

A man brought me punch the color of wine.

And I drank it slowly,

watching him go back and forth,

Back and forth —a drink for every woman,

without dancing one step.

When she entered,

the room hushed, smooth and silent.

And when she breathed,

they pulled their dances toward the wall.

And gave her the spot

in the centerof the floor.

A couple walked out kissing.

Polka music played for two songs.

I watched other

couples

who tapped

their dance.

She skirted his hand

and spun in a circle

around him.

I watched as they played

with the music. I watched

their beautiful feet.

Morning Glory

by Anna Forbes

The sun silently disregarded my curtains this morning.

He crept in and sprawled himself across the linen

As if there was room for two.

“You’re early,” I said.“Please come back in an hour.”

Now he was recklessly throwing gold against my wall

and showing off my dust collection.

“What next?” I asked my bold intruder.

The wind gently replied instead.

I couldn’t refuse this fresh sea breeze,

so I put my feet on the hardwood floor

and stepped into my shoes.