The Tao of Dance

The Way of your dance is within
Perspective is where it begins
Are you in the right shoes for the partners you choose?
Can you tell the difference what you gain or you lose?
Is the consequence difference at all?
Be aware how each sound gives you sight
Be in proper position,
Is transition ambition?
Or conditioned volition?
It’s your song

Only you give it flight.
Be an instrument in what you hear
Not just sounds in your ear.
Be the drums and tap out, keep the beat but don’t shout
Are you a symbol of change or a cymbal unclear?
Will you recognize echo or remain in a snare?
Should you move to percussion?
Are you in the discussion?
Is conduction construction? reduction? obstruction?
In between each note
. . . . . . . .

Are you there?
Put yourself in the song
Keep your character strong
When piano leads plead, feel and follow the keys
Take the time to enjoy each refrain.
Should the bass call you out let it take you somewhere
Will you steal each lead?
Do the words seem to bleed?
Thru your heart, thru your soul
Let the story untold, unfold, and behold!
At the time to believe

Will you see?
Follow rhythm thru measure
Each phrase is a pleasure.
Every chorus repeated, enjoyed then defeated
Make them yours, give it meaning each time.
Do the horns blowing groove you?
Are there strings that behoove you?
that move you along, or lead you astray?
Each stanza you hear
isn’t far, isn’t near
It is here, in this moment

Embrace it that way.
There’s a symphony always playing
Listen well to what it is saying
If you lead or you follow, the journey is hollow
If not learning you’re only displaying.
Instinct is distinct, don’t leave it alone.
Do your steps flow like water?

or seem set in stone?
Is natural progression, instruction? discretion?
A lesson of choices as more than a chance?
Find your place on the floor,
It’s your dance.

by Mark Traynor, 2001