after I got my car and I was always busy
if he knew I was still taking all these dance classes
he’d think I was wasting precious money and my time
rolling and shaking to djembe and afrobeats
sometimes accompanied by live drums
the way we were taught
to listen for the rhythm
to listen for the break
to follow and to lead
sometimes they would have me dance
facing the drummers following hands
that spoke to our steady feet
smiling at their own hands
pleased by the room’s energy
playing while our bodies flew free