by Kathleen MacGregor
A pleasant soreness
I am with today
Reminds me of how
We danced last night
Under the August sky
On the cool, green grass
With our bare feet
And flying skirts.
Smell of sweat, wine and white flowers-
Bats dipping into the heat
Rising up from our bodies.
Beautiful friends
Reflecting beauty, joy
Reflecting love.
Even in the waves
That washed over us
Tumbled us.
Wives of grief, of fear
Husbands of rage, of anxiety.
The drum brought it in.
The guitar sang to it
Our ecstasy carried it
All.
Yes celebrate!
Setting free those wild
Birds of the belly.
Beating them from the bush
With drumming feet-
Shaking down the energy.
Coming home.
No one’s a stranger
When we dance
Wordlessly.
A pleasant soreness
Reminds me of how
We jiggled and stomped
Quivered and jumped.
Twirled and swayed.
Joining arms
Then letting go.
The flesh and the soul.
It was exactly as if
We were free.