Deno's Dance

I made this playlist for my car
Some time back, some favorite songs
And dances — I’ve eclectic taste, I think.
A dance song from the island of Crete began:
It was one of my friend Deno’s favorite songs.

The singer whoops the simples and mourns the pains
Of that island, in Kritiko tenor against
His laouta, an oud-like instrument tuned half
East and half west.  That song was Deno’s

When we re-met decades later, now both grown
Away from our youthful indiscretions with travel,
Marriage, business, children, happiness, heart-break,
The burdens and privileges that at twenty when we met
Neither of us envisioned.

Back then, lighter, limber, lithe, swift, sharp
We’d dance together in the Greek clubs and venues,
Festivals and fairs, and be the last out at night,  laughing
To our cars to find someplace to grab a bite.

Deno’s Kritiko Syrto was edgy: a stop for a beat and
Quick take to the step; he’d swing his left foot behind 
His right leg, slap the foot, swing it forward, slap again,
Leap onto the left while arching the right leg near his
Six-two shoulder height, inscribing a circle with his right
Hand to slap the right foot, drop the left hand which was
Holding the second in line to pivot on a one count, and

Hit the beat, mark on, with a small grinning smirk at
His style, his health, his speed, his black hair and black eyes
And flourishing mustache, his sheer joyful Greek
Being in the moment, the song flowing through him,
The dance woven into him.

After years, we reconnected, and he found this song,
And it was his song, and he was not quite as limber,
Nor as lithe, nor as swift.  The slaps did not connect.
He’d trace the moves, and we all who knew him those
Decades before traced the moves in our minds with him
And the young man, so bold, joyous, fearless, leaped again
For us, and it was a joy.  He’d tilt back his head and laugh,
And we would too.

I pulled my car over to the side of the road while the song
Was playing, seeing in my mind’s eye the different Denos
Dancing across our decades.  
I hit the repeat button a couple of
Times.  

Dance away, friend, dance away.