Dance Kid, Dance!

Dance

Go on dance! She says

The child crosses his arms against his chest

In defiance

The child is almost lost in the swirling of her skirt

as she sways, attempting to animate him

No!!

No dance!! the child says

She eventually ceases her attempts,

and turns back to a conversation

and outside of her gaze

unwatched

he does a dance

his own dance

hoping no one will notice

resisting the attempts to make him dance

not because he did not want to dance

but when coaxed

and coerced

the desire is stolen

for the satisfaction

that comes from dancing

should be
fun, freeing and liberating

When someone is whipping,

or pointing the loaded gun

of emotional blackmail at someone's feet

the parental face of disappointment

the partner's sexual withdrawal
those looks and gestures 
and slammed doors,

punishing the bad behaviour

of not conforming

dance kid, dance...go fuck yourself!