Older

We’re spinning spinning

spinning legs faces bodies

bouncing up and down hips

shaking now the rhythm

quickens everyone faster push

muscles in our calves, backs, arms

rising to the beat—quick—

before we die before we’re gone

the night only lasts so long

fill it up with color wild brushstrokes

shatter paint across the dance so

stare into their eyes—do you see it?

laughter pouring out to the last drop

use it up, let it go before we all

fall down love dies paint dries

fierce gets colder

when we all wake up we’ll be

one day older.

By Anna Leah Lacoss