Zigzag

I walk with abandon.

A modern dance teacher,

the one who taught me

how to roll into the floor

and extend through space,

how to lean into a pelvis

and support a very tall man

with my very little frame,

the teacher who equalized

my playing field,

the one who helped

ground me as she freed me

from corporeal restraints,

the one who came closest

to teaching me to fly,

this teacher,

whom I adored,

told me

that people

who cannot

walk

straight,

but zigzag

through life,

these people

are free spirits.

I cannot

walk in a straight line.