tuesday

Grandpa

He used to take me dancing
when I was just
a little girl --
unspooling me
across the floor, my skirt
a twirl, my hair

long ribbons then
and when I missed a step
he hardly noticed,
both his feet knew
what to do with any kind
of beat, sure enough to cover
my mistakes, his grace
I learned to dance
standing on his wingtips, now
I would rewind it daily
if I could, you know
sit back forever,
watch the old man go
and go and go

-- smh

Thanks to Tess at The Mag for the prompt. 

And to Grandpa Clarence for dancing me through my childhood 

and calling me "His girl".