To Dance

You gotta keep going, no matter what happens to you. To do otherwise is a kind of death.

I danced on a cloud

while I sang to the sun

I was full, and whole, and loud

finding, winning the one.

I danced on the ground 

while I sang to the sky

When I lost what I'd found

she left. I wondered why.

The chance that I took

left hanging on a hook,

like a used winter coat

or the words that I've wrote.

I'll dance in the morning

and I'll sing all alone.

I'll laugh 'til it's hurting

and the tears make me moan.

I'll dance in the evening

until my legs give out.

I'll sing while I'm grieving

my heart lost in doubt.

" title="Life's a Dance">

Reviews

[SyberRose]

My mother and step father danced until their seventies three times a week...until their bodies wouldn't let them anymore....
My mother is eighty seven now and she still talks about dancing....enjoyed the read...Rose:)

[Mark]

Thank you Rose. :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This feels very painful Mark. It is a flowing and engaging expression of soldiering on when you least want to.

[Mark]

Ya, common theme in my writing... heh

[Emerald Seas]

A wonderful message in this poem! You've gotta keep going through the fog. Dance, sing, act the fool, just LIVE and keep going. We're only here once, no sense in acting like a wallowing country song - just fake it 'til you make it through. Well, easier said than done, I know... but eventually we all do come around and get up to dance :)
Enjoyed the poem very much!

[Mark]

Thank you! Did you like the song with it?

[Emerald Seas]

I will have to play it from the computer later :) the link doesn't work properly when I'm using the iPad. But I know the song ;)

[QuietlyCrash]

This is beautiful! I love how the feeling in it. It really stirs up a feeling of freedom and an almost hopeful sort of sadness. Like even though I'm hurt I won't stop dancing because I won't let my joy be taken away. Excellent :)
-Riley

[Mark]

Glad you liked! :)

[Angi]

Mark, you are so right about this. Keep dancing, keep living! It is such a temptation to crawl under the covers with hands over your ears...so you can't hear the music. PS: I noticed a small correction.. Third stanza last line. Should it say, 'or the words that I wrote..?' I hope you don't mind. Angi~

[Mark]

THanks Angi! I meant to write I've, to refer directly to the piece here.

[Frieda P]

You had me with the title right off, who doesn't love to dance? Your poem really speaks to the same freedom one feels in dancing that applies to life, throw yourself out there and risk looking the fool, go for broke...good one Mark!

[Mark]

thanks hon! :)

[Frieda P]

Love a man that's not afraid to dance, my pleasure :-)

[Mark]

If I get to NJ I'll teach ya how to 2-step. Or you can teach me, I don't know it that well :P

[Frieda P]

That's one I don't know that well either, but who cares, we wing it!

[Mark]

I have a good time doing it. The song I posted with this poem is one I learned to 2 step to, the other I remember is "Working Man" by 'Nitty Gritty Dirt Band", Had a blast learning but being on a truck I don't get a lot of chances to dance.

[quinfinn]

well, this is wonderful. i have to state that i was reminded of a couple of Garth Brooks songs by your words, but they are such familiar words, are they not? you have penned, quite well, some very resonant human emotions herein. well done!

[Mark]

Thanks buddie

[redflutterby]

Aww.... I love to dance! Music is my second favorite thing next to books. I'm always listening to something....singing and dancing. Lol..

Life is a dance... sometimes we are doing that boogie all by ourselves. Other times its in the arms of some one special! You never stop dancing though.. ever.. ;-)

[Mark]

well, the dance does come to an end, so make sure and enjoy it while it lasts. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful poem. Dancing is the good part of life. Moving and having fun without concern for the world outside. I like the repetition giving strength and reason for the excellent poem.
Coyote