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Dancing for Exercise

By Barbara Loyd

When my parents divorced our move
ended my tap and ballet dance classes;
now, decades later, a new opportunity to dance
at the YMCA has rekindled my passion.

Offerings such as tap, ballet, belly and Latin Dance
tantalized me. It became hard to choose, so I signed up
for all classes. For four days a week I perform tap routines,
plies, and Sambas with lively groups of women,
some older, most younger.

We give it our all, fascinated to see our progress
move from awkward to graceful after a few weeks.
I cannot keep my feet or hips still once the music starts.
Now, the rhythm in my soles finds expression.

Others like to exercise using machines, but my heart smiles
while the dance instructors put us through our paces.
As we leap and grind, “Shuffle off to Buffalo,” or
swirl our scarves in swoops, my joy soars.

If one’s heart is young, it is never too late to pick
up the beat after circumstances interrupt us.
Our passions never wane when we seize another chance.
Often, later is better when we continue our dance.