Shall We Dance
The song
wakes me up each morning and lulls me to sleep at night. It is a simple song learned
in childhood and hadn’t crossed my mind in years. I’d heard it and simply
enjoyed the melody in my mind and sometimes sing out loud the words to no one
in particular. It persists whenever my mind leaves an appointed task, or a
conversation or any lull in pointed activity. The words are “howdy do my
partner, howdy do today, shall we dance in the circle? Let me show you the
way.” That is all there is to the song.
As children
we would gather in any available open space hold hands and sing and dance with
mirth and joy as only children can. We would laugh at the ones who were awkward
and rejoice over the bold and daring child who came up with unique steps. Yes a
child’s song replete with grown up implications.
This morning
the wider meaning came along with the song, its originator. I am truly grateful
for the deeper dive into the world of children. The opening line is a greeting
“Howdy do,” informal a greeting spoken to a friend, a class mate, one’s peers.
“My partner.” Is someone with whom there is a connection; someone with a past
connection, shared experiences. “My partner.” A beloved and trusted being that
needs no explanation for the invitation to dance, is my partner. My partner is
a friend throughout the entirety of this current journey and perhaps many
others. The idea of intimacy and congruency that no other holds comes with the
words “my partner.” Being partners allows both of us to gain ground on the
precious journey we’d undertaken
The
invitation, “shall we in the circle” implies that the way to progress is to
dance within the circle of safety and grace. How can I resist? To dance, to
express the latent joy of being, to embrace the movement congruent with the
earth, the stars, the self, for this moment I’ve waited and longed. How can I
not dance, whirl with complete abandon and live? I do not have to know how the
steps are ordered, what great choreographer had designed the dance. My partner
knows and is willing to show me the way. My partner’s words are the assurance
that the steps will be perfect and suited to the dance. My dance, my partner,
my soul, the way is clear for all this to be done. Oh, my joy is full
I am the
dance, the circle, the song, the child within the circle created by love to
enlarge this grand moment and me.
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