Dance Lessons (3/4 time) - Diana Anphimiadi

Like an ice-sheet

in the Antarctic

broken, then joined,

go foot to foot

as if finding, or

at least as if searching.

Rule: lean against 

your own shoulders, and

hold your back straight,

lift your spine as if

about to go downhill.

Step: your arm on 

his shoulder, like 

a spear on the word,

his left arm around 

your waist like a bulb 

coming into flower.

Now a step towards

then a step away

and then, like water,

pour yourself out

before your thirsty partner.

Rule: look straight

into his eyes,

even if a gorgon 

is reflected there.

Adjust to his steps

as if to new shoes.

Step: as if the moon

exploded, and your 

feet were the pieces.

Spinning round the centre,

round your spinning head,

the dance encircles you 

like a lace train.

Make a new rhythm

with your pulse and his. 

That’s all. And now 

let’s take it from the top.

Play the music again!

---

Diana Anphimiadi (born 1982) Georgia

Translated by Natalia Bukia-Peters and Jean Sprackland

Source: Poetry Translation Centre