Promise

Winter lasted too long.
I resigned to feeling cold and guarded
and fearful of its gnawing threat.
But spring did come, at last, as promised,
green and tender.
And – of all things -
asked me to dance.
And I - to my dismay - had forgotten how;
I faltered,
flustered and distracted,
unsure of foot. She sighed kindly
and brought me close, then, to her brave body
and held me
made my steps her steps
her rhythm mine
her breath my breath
and led me, then, warm and bright and laughing.