First Steps

Come, and trip it as you go
On the light fantastic toe.
       Milton - L'Allegro, 1645

The record on the stereo spins round.
I pay attention to its melodious sound
because I want to synchronise my feet
with the rhythmical and recurring beat.
The steps I’m taking should be simple
but I’ve been distracted by her dimple.

I tread on her toes and say I’m sorry,
I’m told it doesn’t matter, don’t worry.
The trouble is that the more I think
the more likely I am to be out of sync.
She guides me on the floor with verve;

at the moment I’m on a learning curve
and, although all I seem to do is prance,
I may eventually learn how to dance.
Not like Nijinski, Fonteyn or all that lot
but proficient enough to do a foxtrot.
I once thought that music was schmaltz
yet when I hear a good Viennese waltz

I rehearse those steps in triple time
and believe the ‘Blue Danube’ is sublime.
I forgot to mention that I am in love
but I reaffirm what I have said above,
that dancing has become part of me
and it was all thanks to my bride-to-be.

© Luigi Pagano 2013