<\/p>\n
Woody smoke seeps into the yard<\/p>\n
from the boys smoking cigars<\/p>\n
down by the water\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Haze softening sharp complexions,<\/p>\n
distorting features,<\/p>\n
making strangers look familiar,<\/p>\n
extravagant, and otherworldly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I chase him around the big rocks by the water,<\/p>\n
begging him to teach me.<\/p>\n
He comes close<\/p>\n
and shows me how to make my breath dance in the air.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Below the balcony,<\/p>\n
the guests converge<\/p>\n
as we twirl around<\/p>\n
invisible problems,<\/p>\n
stomp on tension,<\/p>\n
and step around family friends<\/p>\n
who came just to get unflatteringly drunk.<\/p>\n
We dance and dance until our problems<\/p>\n
are drenched in darkness.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The boy slips out of<\/p>\n
the throng of flailing arms and legs<\/p>\n
and into the forest.<\/p>\n
I scamper after him,<\/p>\n
tripping on mulberry roots and leaves,<\/p>\n
blinking away nymphs and fairies.<\/p>\n
We sit on the boulder up on the hill<\/p>\n
and watch these silly silhouette actors<\/p>\n
perform their muted play.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
his words twist into the air<\/p>\n
to meet mine waiting there.<\/p>\n
He says their performance alludes to<\/p>\n
a greater dance, of good and evil<\/p>\n
and something about a maypole.<\/p>\n
But I just think<\/p>\n
that every family has some secrets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Grace Cram Woody smoke seeps into the yard from the boys smoking cigars down by the water\u2019s edge. Haze softening sharp complexions, distorting features, making strangers look familiar, extravagant, and otherworldly. I chase him around the big rocks by the water, begging him to teach me. He comes close and shows me… <\/p>\n