No one notices the shade on the front stoop. No one even glaces at it when it crosses the sitting room, silent and eternal.

In what seems little more than a light breeze on their cheeks the shade begins to perform an intricate dance, spinning and twirling, hopping and throwing it's head back, coughing and cackling, its energy builds into a frenzy,
but no one seems to see.

On my shoulder I feel it's icy, bony hand.
Taking hold, I naturally know the steps of it's dance, no lessons needed.
I spin and swirl, toss my head back and let out a loud cackle, but no one hears.

I am amazed at the ease of by body, how fast my turns have become
and how light of foot I feel.
My new partner, though once grotesque to my eye, now seems the very prince I've longed to see.
We dip, hop and merengue. With him the tango is like second nature. I am as fluid as water.
Spinning and twirling my body now electric.
We dance for hours, or has it been years, I can't tell.

When at last we are through we cross the sitting room, hand in hand. Now through the front door on to the stoop, his grip on my hand loosens.
I feel my body separating into the tiniest fragments.
I look back at my dancing prince only to see bones and old cloth. A grotesque shade making it's way to the next door.

meharg '07