Clifton Chenier’s accordion pulls us
onto the dance floor in a slow
shuffle of pulse and delight like
the calm comfort of love’s embrace
soft flesh and time’s decisions
forgive more inside the day
today than any acquiescence
to obsequious control provides
at our table near the bandstand
we hold hands halfway attuned
so lost in our love’s vague rhythms
and the sloppish beat’s adherence
no answer echoes our heart to explain
the dance is the dance is the dance
(September 26, 2014)
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