Dancing with Saint Pat

Written
2009

 It is close to the day of green

         when Saint Patrick again visits the Emerald Island.

The Video screens are full of stomping boots

         dancing to the tune of harps and pipes.

Now I know it is not PC to talk about ethnicity,

         but dancing customs sure are quaint.

The Scots hip and hop

         in their short skirts and hidden shives.

The Israelis hold hands and go in circles

         tied together with handkerchiefs.

Those in the middle east dance with moving bellies.

The French dance on their toes

Russians are either on toe or skipping boots.

The Argentineans don't know vertical from horizontal

         and prove it on the dance floor.

The Chinese and Japanese modestly hide dance behind fans.

Middle America have stolen the circling

         and stomping with the hanky playing a different role.

American Jitterbugs added football and gymnastics

         to he dance floor.

But dancing belongs to the African Americans

         and their ancestors who are total body dancers.

And if I am any example, Swedes can't dance at all.

I do watch and note what is done

         and vow never to dance.

Now I can hardly wait until Cinco de Mayo

         When dancing is done in Technicolor.

Doug Minnis March 16,2009

 

 

 

Notes
Watched a group of young Irish dancers doing some line dancing and they were sure into it as they were preparing for Saint Patrick's Day.I gave some thought to culture and dancing. I need to give even more thought as I finished the poem and still wondered about dancing and culture