treading the boards
worn bare by those
who danced before them
the women begin
the guided and the guiding
tripping the light fantastic
gliding and dipping
creating a space around them
for the Quickstep or the Jive
like pairs of Whirling Dervishes
each takes her neighbour for a spin
these night rhythms
(not so different the day’s)
link them to each other
for life

Margaret McKenzie
Melbourne, Australia