dance

if only you could see us then
long hair flowing
swallowing up the sunshine
drinking in the rain.

if only you could see us then
patchwork skirts and barechested beauties
forever young.

spinning, dancing
eyes closed chanting.

today we are doctors, professors, writers, photographers, teachers.  we are everything and so much more. we carry these secrets of our former selves, hidden in our pockets, sewn into the seams of our clothes.

these secrets go with us everywhere and sometimes if you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse of them. of us as we were. sometimes it’s easy to see, and then it’s like welcoming back long lost friends. i know you, you who are me. together we danced holding hands, dreaming of the impossible (doing the impossible) together we traveled and lived for experience. i know you, and i know we are still who we were.

we are not going anywhere, although it feels like it on certain days. on the outside it feels that we are slipping down the drain with the bath water. to the outside world, i know us to be chameleons. playing dress-up, all the while knowing our joy of what was and what will come to be. us walking through the woods coming home to find leaves in our hair.

this is who we were, freedom fighters pulling all nighters. this is who we are still as we negotiate bedtimes and sugar intake and instant gratification of toys and all things gluttonous. this is who we were, standing up for rights and wrongs. this is who we are still, teaching what is right and what is wrong.

we are in there, shining.
looking out with love in our eyes
shaking our heads at the absurdity of it all.
singing the songs of ourselves
dancing just to feel the wind.

tell me now, who are you?