Alex De Vries

Dance of the Cranes

The musicians sing a strained song

one of abnormal rhythm and awkward skill

the rest of the number fall in step

The circles run opposite each other

raising their feet, one, then the other

the wings follow together

theirnecks melt into soapwhite chests, out again.

They move with cumbersome agility

the inner ring a frenzied dance

round and round they go, mesmerizing

Out of the blue, stillness reigns

nothing moves, save wind, water, and grass

the musicians join the dance

two cranes take their place

The mystical exploit resumes,

earthand sunset, wind and sky move in time

the sun vanishes and the dancers, the whitest ever seen

abruptly take flight, leaving some magic behind.