Backwards, And In Heels Poem by Bryan Corbett

the lights were flashing brilliantly
blinding me as such
the music was deafening
pounding relentlessly
against by brain
and i got lost in its magic
stumbled in its confusion
and i forgot

for a moment

then i was sitting on a bench
in the neighborhood park
from there i watched as my wife
pushed my two-year-old daughter
on a swing
my wife was smiling
as my daughter screamed with joy

we have been through many things together
mostly good
but some bad
but she has always been there for me
when i needed her
and she has given me space
when i have needed that, too

she has encouraged me in everything
that i have ever aspired to do
she has stood by my side
and smiled
proud of me
for those things that I have done
even for those things she has helped me do

but, caught up in the flashing lights
and the pounding music
i had neglected to let her
share in the praise
but now
as the music is momentarily quiet
and the band takes a break
i see she is sad

"i was only dancing, " I say
'i was only dancing'
and I'm sorry

and it has been years now
me, dancing carelessly in the limelight
her faithfully by my side
always with a smile

and i realize
hopefully not too late
that she has always been there
always helping me
always pushing me
always loving me

and i can hear her now
over the pounding music
and i can see her now
through the flashing lights

she has always been there for me
my friend
my partner
my love
dancing gracefully
oh, so, gracefully
backwards, and in heels...