A History Of Waltz Poem by Derek Ouyang

1.
Who knew this was just like reading
A book, whose chapters were all out of order:
Swing, tango - waltz - then back to swing, with
Salsa dipped here and there; you flip
Each page and it unfolds, like a
Secret origami love note, until
It is the size of the dance floor
And the author is furiously waiting:
Sharpening the tips of his toes,
Ready to write you off of your feet

2.
A man speaks through his cigarette
Would you like, you like to polka?
I tell him it's my first time but he
Pulls me into the fast lane, flying -
Imagine a man and woman fornicating
In the driver's seat, his knees
Steering the wheel, her neck
Pressed against the gas pedal...
My feet are shuffling for frenzy though
I lied, it's not my first time

3.
An elderly man teaches me slow motion
Like clouds, floating in a free spin...
In his spotted arms I can feel the weight
Of every move he did not make
On a girl my age, fifty years ago -
I can see her now, in the reflection
Of his eyes, his strained pupils that
Have seen the land, seen babies grow
But can never see her face again
I keep her memory, now

4.
I swear, I swear, I swear
I have met you before, like that
Face you see in a dream that you
Know for a fact you've seen before in
Real life, or is it the other way around -
Swept hair, clean aftershave, my God -
Has waltz ever been easier than
In the arms of a Viennese angel
Whose touch is uncannily familiar, like
A lover's kiss from a past life

5.
One hundred people take hands
And not a word is said, just eyes
Arms, legs, feet skipping the talking,
Posture your first impression,
Extension your eternal memory:
I guess this all goes to show
That there's no harm in an open hand
Or the nook of a sleeveless elbow -
Or a Friday night's resolve that
I'll follow any man once