Life Dance

Ms. Shirley
Taught me the
Jitterbug
And our jollification
Was a heel-tap
Tic-snappity-snap
Excellence.

To the left
The right
Swift step-
Beat
I move my hips
Life's sweet.
Quit mugging light
And go ahead
Mug heavy
I stay in the groove-
I'm steady.
Move, baby girl,
Swing out and send
Keep light on your plates
And tap the ten.

Ms. Shirley jived and wrangled
And though I was
Tangled and heinous
In my attempts
We collapsed
In laughter and exclamation

And wow...
I'm a dancer now.

-Emily Chumchal Andrews