Dancing

Dancing
by Tess Baumberger

Hair almost white, 
​skin nearly translucent, 
tiny-boned, frail, failing.
Mind disease-disordered,
she kept rising
from her hospital bed
trying to escape.

Dark hair, braided
skin mocha rich
robust, healthy, alive.
Trying to keep the lady safe,
she intercepts
holds her in her arms,
and dances.

Two women,
heads back, 
laughing like girls,
before a sunny window.
Dancing in a circle
back to her bed.
The lady’s feet still 
know the steps.