A New Celebration

(This is usually done as slam poetry, I don't know how it will translate on paper. Usually, I preface this by saying, "My 22nd birthday was Sept. 11th, and at my birthday party on the 15th, I learned what I should celebrate.") -I rallied the friends, 20 of them. To a happy hour party, To feel something, Thats old and new again, Good People. We began with well drinks, 44 of them. Piled on kids toys, 22 of them. By drinks 5 and 6, I'm on the bar, being, The best hip-hop dancer you've ever seen. -I shake my J-Lo ass, I shake it good. I hold the netting above my head, As I dangle, nearly float, from the ceiling. I contort and jiggle and tease, Men, they'd like me to please, -But I won't. Cause I'm dancing and feeling. -Alive as ever. I'm downing shots and singing along, With 12 other girls, Who don't know this song. -Holding onto the bar with one foot, one hand, Dancing, sexy, for 2 to 20 men. I'm looking round, Through palm trees, neon lights, The companys' flaky -there's frat-boy fights- -And its then that I feel it, Of war, closing in, -But I fight it back- -At the moment, I dance again. Over a sea of bodies bumping, Of bright lights and dim. Here, shadows merge into one, Where I bounce my body, 'till I belong. In the feeling of being more than I am. -In a ritual, believing I'm ok within. In the smoke, on the bar, I shake my ass, move my arms, 'till all I feel is me. -Alive, at this moment, Where I shake the madness off. -Hips swing sultry, Lips wet with licks, and drinks, and sweat. -Which say- "I don't know you honey, but I'm glad we met." -And this feels good, My belly's showing, My eyes are glowing, -My friends are screaming, "You GO, girlfriend!" -Tonight, a belated birthday explodes In pent-up elation, -That I am still here, For this meaningless occasion. Written September 17th, 2001 © on Dec 23 2001 05:02 PM PST   18 • 0 • 12