It takes two to tango,
Or so they say.
But how many does it take to fall?
The pair takes the hit for one misstep
Once the rhythm is broken,
We are both on the floor.
Disqualified.
Lost.
Done.

I loved the way we moved together.
The glide across the floor,
Needing to touch.
Always more to say.
Staring eye to eye.
The tangle of the sheets.
Intimate.
Lustful.
Love?

I believe the more beautiful the dance,
The more terrible the fall.
Precious objects shatter to dust.
Flying high then hitting hard.
Arms and legs scattered
We aren’t even touching
Separated.
Broken.
Chaos.

I’ll stop asking who tripped first.
Even if it were me, I’ll never know.
Taking blame is my superpower.
It was me. It is always me.
This is how it will happen next time.
And you showed me how.
Empty.
Silent.
Blank.

Any two other dancers would stand,
Take a breath,
Shake themselves off,
offer each other a hand,
Look each other in the eye
Maybe “let’s try again”
But not us.
Not now.
Not again

Someday, I will remember the dance
And not just the fall.
Your touch will feel true.
Your kiss will mean something
Your heart will be there, too
Like it was before that day
Graceful
Content
Real