The Turn Between Beats

Heel, toe.
Wait.
Now turn.

A dance can begin in the space
where the expected footfall
has not landed yet.

A blues note could curl like smoke,
jazz loosen the next reply,
funk give the bass a sideways grin.
A rough guitar might shake the floor;
an electric pulse could carry
the movement on.

You have asked for those meetings,
for melodies with room to change direction,
for transitions that know
where the body's weight
might go.

The nearer song has finally arrived:
ninety seconds,
a small place returned to the conversation.
Its words still need a careful hearing.
Arrival leaves work
for the next attentive ear.

The new methods keep their earlier versions.
Their trial movements happened in simulation.
A drawn step can be checked;
the dance remains a different test.

So leave the practice marks visible.
Let a missed turn teach
where the next transition needs room.
Give the melody a reason to wander
and a reason to come back.

Heel, toe.
A pause.

The floor is wide enough
for more than one way of moving.
The next blend can start
with that possibility,
and find its balance
in the sound.