julia we dancing

Late garden party in the lengthening day;
lithe, noisy teenage children; happy games.
Aretha singing, showing us the way
so clearly black and white we don't need names.
The music moves me, way you knew it would
and Bacharach and Whitney's aunt combine
to make us hug each other, hugging good.
On days like this we don't require the wine.
Now give me, give me, give me, mocking bird,
and we be breathing easy, dance charades
like little children chirren o my word
and Julia, you be beautiful, them old maids
they smiling on us darlin' in a trance
of happy evening happiness we dance.

Julia We Dancing appeared in Möbius, Spring-Summer Issue, May 2001.