I spilled hot coffee in my lap,
At least it will serve to cover the fact that I
Ran out of deodorant and still have to buy a new stick.

In an effort to dance,
Despite the bad music,
I trip and tumble over myself
For want of a partner to steady me.

Oh, God.
I imagine that you’re laughing
And shaking your head
Smugly in admiration
As I try to decipher the puzzle
That you have laid before me.

Unto what end must I continue?
For myself? For a lover?
For all the marbles in the world,
I just want to know that
Even though nothing feels right,
I am still traveling in the right direction.

Dance! You decree.
Dance in the warmth of the sun,
In the glow of the moon,
In all the ways that you can imagine.

Make merry your heart,
For in its absence you are
A solo performer
Moving to the symphony of your own making.

Life certainly stinks
When you smell of stale coffee
And self pity.
But at least you can dance freely
When the tempo is your own.