The Last Time I Danced
Grocery store run
Jeans with a big raggy hole
where my knee protrudes
Tan sneaks with pink shoelaces
(no big panama with a purple hat band…
but then, that’s a long time ago)
Chugging along with a cart full of
healthy foods for our responsible diet
and in consideration that we are both
in our 50s now and then
over the intercom
“Dancin’ in the Street”
Martha and the Vandellas,
none of that Mick and whosis crap
Another woman looks at me from
the cereal section and then we both
lay excited eyes on a dude in
Harley jacket and old boots
trolling the Gatorade
Who’s on first?
As if you have to ask
I take the lead line, inciting the riot
The three of us break into song
and dance like the freaks we were
like the freaks we still are
with every ounce of hippie left in us
She’s showin her tat of Marley on her
left arm, he’s swappin a picture of Jesus
on the back of his neck and me, I got no marks
but smile lines chiseled on my cheeks
We’re reeling in total abandon and
oblivious to the folks at either end of the aisle
Even the vegetable guy left his post
And at the fadeout, we’re fading out too
back to our carts as though nothing happened
The other shoppers burst into applause
and we all run back together in the
middle of the aisle to take a bow and
hug each other like there’s no tomorrow
Haven’t seen them again
Perhaps we were all each other’s angels
if only for that moment
Reminders that you can always let that
freak flag fly high enough to glide
as long as you keep enough freak inside
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For dverse, who called for Carefree Hours, or the last time you did something out of pure delight. This is delight, rebellion, and a three-person unplanned flash mob all in one package! Also for “Strange Bedfellows” at Sunday Scribblings and “Walk of Life” at Poetic Bloomings. I don’t walk; I dance, and as for strange bedfellows, I thought it would be nice to have them be total strangers with something in common but NO business dancing in the middle of the grocery store!! Peace, Amy
Polly Robinson
Oh I love, love, love this – can so see it happening – fab!
Sharp Little Pencil
You’d be dancing too, Polly!! A
vivinfrance
You took me there, made me part of the joy. A delight-full read.
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, I’m so glad. You often transport me to places and times… glad to return the favor. Peace, Amy
Diane Turner
This is grand! And even more so if it is true. Yes? Love the line: with smile lines chiseled on my cheeks. Excellent writing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Diane, the smile lines ARE chiseled. I’m 55 and glad that, given my manic depression, et al., there are more smile lines than frown furrows! Amy
claudia
haha…so you had your own fun fair in a supermarket aisle…this is wicked cool..ha…would’ve loved to join the party…smiles
Sharp Little Pencil
I think most of us would be in that aisle, really. Just takes someone as loose as me to get it going. And yes, “loose” in soooooo many ways!!
Andrew Kreider
What a crazy scene! I love it – might even have joined in…
Sharp Little Pencil
Mos def, Andrew, you would have been engulfed in estrogen, though, as most guys I know won’t get down and boogie. But it’s the whole musician thing; musicians are more spontaneous that other types of artists, so YEAH! Amy
Jae Rose
Oh, just have to wave that freak flag..you always make me feel it’s ok..to be what you are..to enjoy the good bits of it..I love the image of that hat with a purple band..i had a hat..black with a braided band..it made me feel anonymous..free to dance in the supermarket with all impunity..waving that flag back to you..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Everyone should have at least one occasion such as this. There’s so much sadness and uptight attitude in the world, so much fear… we need to let go more often!! Thanks, Jae. Love, Amy
oncealibrarian
What wonderful abandon – in the deeds and words.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much. It’s one of the advantages of having mental disorders – even on meds, one tends to dance to a different drummer… whenever one finds the occasion! A
Bodhirose
Gosh, I love this…it gave me a surge of excitement! So much fun!
Gayle ~
Here’s a link as requested: http://bodhirose.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/divided/
Sharp Little Pencil
And Gayle, I love you for posting a URL to direct me. I get far behind on comments, and this will take me where YOU want me to go! Amy
Beriowne
Delighful; keep that freak flag flyin’.
Sharp Little Pencil
You, too, brother!! Amy
Debbie
I wish I could’ve been in that aisle right then! Wonderful Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, you would’ve danced, I know it! Love, Amy
zongrik
what a wonderful moment…
Sharp Little Pencil
Like the wasp encased in amber in “Jurassic Park,” a forever moment!
Sara V
Oh Man! Amy wish I had been there–I’m always singing along and/or swinging my hips while I’m pricing the cans of beans, or whatever in Whole Foods (they have great rock playing most of the time) That was such a fantastic poem, full of joy–and what a picture you painted–wonderful!!! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Sara, I’m delighted you like this poem. I can see you rockin’ out, too. Only when Riley was in middle school was I vehemently discouraged from dancing in the aisles. Then she got over her bad self and now we dance in the rain… Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this! It made me so happy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, anything I do that makes your day brighter is a blessing to me. Love, Amy
Judy Roney
What a delightful moment captured so well. I can see it all. I was there! Thank you. Love ” got no marks
but smile lines chiseled on my cheeks”. We must go to the same tat artist. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, Judy. The Life Is A Gas tattoo parlor, corner of Delight and Full! Thanks for this, you made me smile… Amy
Lindy Lee
One of those moments…
Sharp Little Pencil
I know what you mean. And it happens at that perfect, electrostatic second when all is in alignment, ready to go… God, I love life. Amy