The world is changing before our eyes. Yes, the world has always been changing, but never this fast and never as disruptive as the times we are in. Many people feel strung out, spent, aging before their time. Many feel socially isolated despite the endless chatter of social media. Still, we must plod on. Still we must dance. Dance is our antidote for being too serious with ourselves. Dance is my metaphor for living a joyful and valued life. I’ve talked about this at length in my previous post, anchoring on the Japanese word for it – ikigai. I’ll cap my meditation on this theme with a poem that came to me recently, which I title ‘Dance.’
DANCE
Do not take too long
to dance.
Dance when the roses
open to first light.
Dance in your sleep.
Dance in the fall of
autum leaves. Who knows
when spring will come?
Dance when you are
broken inside and out.
Dance with the bandage on.
Dance in the middle
of a wedding.
Dance in the middle
of a fight.
Dance when you feel
the wind of God.
Dance when there is
no wind.
Dance because you
are free. Dance when
you feel trapped.
Dance like a
caged bird sings.