For Mo
I drove two and a half hours that day
just to say goodbye. Your bones,
once barely noticeable, were all I
could see. I have failed you.
Just to say goodbye, I cried.
I held you close that morning,
but see, I have failed you.
Your eyes were sunken, so
I held you close that morning.
Your breath no longer reeked,
but your eyes were sunken, so
I knew it was your time to go.
Your breath no longer reeked,
so I gave you treat after treat.
I knew it was your time to go.
We huddled around you, pet you
and gave you treat after treat.
The doctor injected the needle,
so we huddled around you, pet you,
as you died. I’m sorry, Mo.
The doctor injected the needle–
at first the cries were barely noticeable
as you died. I’m sorry, Mo, that I only
drove two and a half hours that day.
What Dancers Do
Lace up your pink shoes,
and show off your feet.
It’s what dancers do.
Roll the tights on, used
and abused. Don’t mistreat.
Lace up your pink shoes.
Paint on red lipstick, jewels
make you shine. Do not speak.
It’s what dancers do.
Fluff up the blue tutu–
now you’re almost complete.
Lace up your pink shoes.
Take a deep breath, lose
yourself to the beat.
It’s what dancers do.
The crowd applauses; you
smile and bow. You’re an elite.
Lace up your pink shoes.
It’s what dancers do.
To Dance
To breathe.
To stand.
To pointe.
To feel.
To trust.
To leap.
To twist
To fall
To crack
To break –
To breathe.
To rise.
To acknowledge.
To gesture.
To accept.
To bow.