Dance Mama Dance

Mama… I saw you raise five of us by

yourself with a father nowhere in sight.

I saw you inspire revolution with a chicken and two potatoes.

I saw you limp home late at night after

a long day’s work with sores on your feet.

I saw you gracefully remove groceries from

the cart when the bill got too high. 

I saw you pray when brother stole the microwave to buy drugs.

I saw you make Christmas a ceremony and

I could’ve sworn we were royalty.

I saw you hold our home together like a foundation

that would never crumble.

But Mama, I never saw you dance. I never saw you dance.

And I wonder what happened to your music

‘Cause I’ve got an instinct you still know how to groove,

So like a soulful incantation I write this dream for you: 

I see you stand in a celestial ballroom lit by the moon.

I see you wear a gown of rose petals woven with gold thread.

I see you sparkle like the necklace of stars upon your neck.

I see you comfortable in shoes cut from the clouds.

I see you happy with a mate adoring every inch of your essence —

And mama, he looks like Denzel.

I see you laugh as Nina and Luther sing eternally for you

And Mama I see you dance. Yes, Mama I see you dance. 

And I say Dance Mama Dance

Break the floodgates of countless uncried tears

And Dance Mama Dance

For all the nights you slept alone with no warm arms

to hold you

Dance Mama Dance

For all the dreams that you forgot so we could make it through the day

Dance Mama Dance

Like your nightmare is ending

Like joy is beginning

Like life is not through with you yet

Laugh, Cry, Swirl, Twirl,

Dance Mama — Dance, Dance, Dance

Dance Mama — Dance!