I used to be dancing

for me,

not you.

A form of expression,

a primal scream,

when emotions took total

control over me

and the words...

they refused to show.

I’d pick out the track

and tune in to the beat

and only when my submersion

was somewhat complete

would I let myself go

and give in to the feelings

that moved me from

my head

to toe.

I used to be dancing,

a private affair,

and then you were spying

and laughing

and aping my moves.

Each second of torment

a shovel of dirt

dumped onto the coffin

of my now dead form

of expression.

I used to be dancing

but you stole that away.

Maybe one day

like a vampire rising

that urge will revive

that somehow against all the odds

it’s survived

I’ll find the sense of self I’ve lost

You never allowed me

to state how much

your jeering cost.

I used to be dancing

for me

and never for you.