A robot dance Nov. 26, 2023

 She dances like a robot

With her mother on Thanksgiving

A male voice off camera

Saying he doesn’t want to be

On YouTube,

A different dance than the one

She danced for her mother

On Asbury Park beach

A month earlier,

Real joy exuding from her

As if she has finally found contentment

(even though I suspect

She may be putting on

A happy face)

She, having breached

The age of 40

(perhaps now 44 or 45),

Though her face is the same face

From all those years ago,

Framed by black hair,

When I remember it being brown

Or near red under harsh sunlight,

Waving her arms like a robot,

While her mother tries

But not successfully

To imitate the dance,

Both standing around

What is likely her father’s

Kitchen table

Somewhere in lower New York State,

Kicking off the holiday season

With a video she feels compelled to record

For posterity,

Life is good.

Life is long.

Life sometimes gives you gives

You never thought you’d need

Or want,

Yet are grateful to receive

Anyway.

 

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