Final Act

Kelly-Anne is clapping.

Helena is dribbling.

Marla and I are puffing and panting

as we go through the old routine again,

for an audience this time:

right foot forward,

right foot back,

right foot

right foot

right foot

right.

Left foot now,

forward and back,

left foot

left foot

left foot

left.

Collapsing on half-packed cardboard boxes,

Marla and I laugh

so hard my whole face is sore.

But it is no longer burning.