The tight laces tied back
holding the guards
that are up
like tall walls looming
over and around my heart
are coming undone tonight.
With a finger's pull
the laces loosen
the walls move farther
the cage of ribs fills up with air
conquering space, expands
and my heart leaps forth
through my breasts
like an untamed horse
through the ocean parted.
How do I get this boulder
off of my chest, my shoulder,
This boulder that's daming up the creek
yearning to flow ever so freely?
Walking beside another
we learn the pace, the rhythm,
the perspective
of another soul's earthly dance.
We commit to an unspoken covenant
to dance together, side by side.
We slow down or speed up
to harmonize our moves
to keep that silent promise
out of sheer curiosity
to learn the pace of another life,
what the ticking of another heart
can be like.
