I would never
dance naked but
my Shadow frolics like ocean kelp
twirls sways gyrates
from room to room blinds not drawn
Man in the Moon winks
I would never waltz
in tight dress but
my Shadow dons silver gown
metallic mermaid skin
every bulge crack cleavage
solo-dances a sexy tango
I would never walk
without marked path but
my Shadow raucously stomps an Apache dance
through field of daisies with impulse
to decorate her buttonhole
I would never hop a tall fence
that shouts “Do not enter” but
my Shadow careens over
says “It’s unkind to keep us on this side
it’s greener over there”
I would never jitterbug
with my “Do Not Open” dreams but
my shadow shreds wrappings lip syncs
gavottes with each hidden dishonored longing
like from a deck of cards she chooses one
I would never abandon her
even with vastly different dance styles but
Shadow warns,
“If you won’t tap dance wild
on the hood of a rusted old car
I’m packing my bag”