Snake in the Mirror 

I’m stuck on a new move in the waltz,
the open-hand serpentine sequence,
an undulating snake-like progression
in the line-of-dance down the dance floor.
So Gail takes me off to the side
for some one-on-one practice.
As soon as I turn my back,
within five seconds of turning my back,
five seconds of leaving my wife unattended,
Big Dick swoops in and takes hold of her.
“Here, let me show you how it’s done.”
Big Dick has been eyeing my wife for months,
she’s the beautiful diamond
sparkling and shimmering in the dance class,
all the other women pale glass by comparison.
So of course I’m staring in the mirror
as slick Dick steps and turns and chasses her,
I’m staring in the mirror as she reaches up,
takes hold of him too, smiles up
into his hungry face (my mom taught me never
to say no to a boy who asked me to dance).
I’m focusing on them instead of on Gail,
stumbling all around in one spot
like a demented squirrel,
not learning this stupid snake move
as I should have been.
But I did get to watch a snake
moving in the mirror as Dick tried
to impress my wife yet again
with his slippery sleek moves.

© 2008 Michael Estabrook