KEN OSBORNE

Dance Moves

Seeking a partner on Saturday night
at the Grand Palais dance
hair thick with Brylcream
parting slick and just right
trying for a nonchalant stance.

It takes an insidious skill
to interpret her wiles,
the butterfly lashes, the far-away smiles,
the look-away giggles,
the want-to-dance jiggles—
whether you’re spinning her dials.
Before you approach
muster courage and élan
to brave competition,
say like a man
“Do you want to dance?”

Guys see responses in wide rolling eyes,
the deadpan glower, the look of surprise—
dare to grab a limp wrist with resolve
tug her into the maelstrom
of hot rock and roll.
But I’m never certain,
can’t take the action, can’t summon a smile,
can’t get a reaction, just freeze without style—
so it’s back to warm beer foot-tap and eye-roam
the lonely walk home on my own.