The Dance

Through the filtered light of the fat full moon
I wander through the thinning woods
To an open space between the trees
To see the dancing natives
In the movement of this land
I am not observed
Or just ignored
I stand and gape at their magical moves
Done thousands of years in this same way
The story of their lives
I cry out in sudden thought
And the dancers freeze their dance
A hundred eyes turn and stare at me
And I stare smiling back
With a curious sinuous motion
I begin to dance myself
Trying hard to tell my lifetime’s story
I sweat and do my dance
The natives pound their drums in time
As I move and sweat my sadness
The drumming stops on a single beat
And my heart jumps to my mouth
Will I finally be accepted here
Or forced to leave and walk away
A brave young child comes to my side
A smile upon his face
He leads me to the drums and the dancers
And the music starts again
Have I finally found my place in life
Or will they disappear when they are done
Will I not fit in as is my normal way
To simply roam again
The clock goes on and on
And I tire of the dance
The child smiles my way
As I lay upon the trampled grass
And drop my head to rest
To dream for once a brand new dream
A dream of happiness