Poetry

The Dance Class
Christmas Eve day
Jam Dance class
(No limitation on participants’ age, mind you!)
“Do you have any family, here?”
The young instructor asked me.
“She obviously noticed my foreign accent”,
I thought.
“My family is spread all over Europe”,
I replied, thinking of my cousins,
And trying to avoid the painful answer,
That my entire family, my beloved mother, brother, and sister,
Were prematurely taken away by cruel illnesses.
“I cannot imagine spending the Christmas alone,
Without family”,
The young girl continued, unaware of the hurt she inflicted
“Well, enjoy yours, for family is a precious thing!”
I replied.

Rea-Silvia Costin, P.E. .2023