The Dance


                        
                  Hope
                            and
                                    Reality

          Unlikely partners in the dance -

                                 until

                                     you

                                       hear

                                           the

                                             music...

                              the haunting strains of

                                      Unexpected.

                                      
                                     Reality leads,

                                     Hope submits

               leaning against the strength of her partner,

                                anticipating the moves

                              that seem choreographed

                               while in Reality's arms...

                                          ordered,

                                      premeditated,

                                             not

                                       Unexpected.

                                          ~ ~~

                             The music keeps playing.

                                     Reality tires.

                                           The tempo changes.


                                "No, this is not what I thought,"

                                  Hope reads in Reality's eyes.

                                                   It is not

                                                   Familiar.


                            Strengthened by Reality's faltering,

                                      Hope assumes the lead

                           with a confidence that warms Reality.


                                           Reality relaxes

                               and leans into Hope's softness,

                       l       unable to anticipate her moves

                                         because they are

                                                 daring,

                                                creative,

                                                   not
                                               
                                                Routine.

                                                 ~ ~ ~

                                        The music changes

                                yet the dancers scarcely notice.

                                         Reality is refreshed

                               as he gazes into Hope's radiance.

                                               Hope blushes

                                   at Reality's steady approval.

                                  And they both become strong,

                                             they both yield

                                             to each other...

                                             ...to the music.


                                 Observers savor their delight -

                                        two unlikely partners

                                                 dancing

                                                     as

                                                    One.


                                         Unlikely,

                                              until

                                                    you

                                                        hear

                                                             the
            
                                                                 music...


                                             A glorious rendition of

                                                         Trust.


                                                          ~~ ~


                         Lord, teach me to hear the music of Trust,

                                         its melody is so faint

                               against the booming resonance of

                                                Unexpected.


                                                Teach me,

                          so that there might be joy in the dance -

                              that it might be wondrous to behold.


                                                    ~ ~ ~


                                                 





                                     Penned by Mary Whited

                                              dedicated to

                                            Karen and Susan 

                            whose dance with the reality of cancer

                                    has been wondrous to behold

                                                     1994

                                          Copyright (C) 2013