In Retrograde

Photo by Rob Wicks on Unsplash

I am . . . in retrograde

contrary to those similar bodies

opposing the easy direction

of the stars

of the masses

of myself

moving into shape

turning, spinning,

without thinking of it

in reverse

I was taught

to read backwards.

to play piano with my fingers not my heart

that emotions are performance

But in spite of it all

I let myself feel the music

in spite of it all

I let myself feel

so that when I look up at the night sky

I see not what’s there but what is not

a world made from ink and light

Love, Pandora

And just like that . . .

The Late-Blooming Belly Dancer