Danse Courageuse

vivianimbriotis | Sept. 22, 2026, 12:50 p.m.

Gasping as she lies in bed

She looks at me wide-eyed

She didn't want my cruel design

Declined the mask, the lie

This very bed, she'd been before

This sterile resus room

And now her breastbone rising so

And now her ending looms

I take her wrinkled hands in mine

Rheumatic joints and skin

And lift her gentle to her feet

And turn a natural spin

Past the ED nurse we stepped

Progressively we turn

Around the shocked main doctor's desk

We dip without concern

A clapping then began to start

A music to keep time

We skip and tumble in three-four

Quick-slow and forward line

She laughs between her gasping breaths

And says something quite new

Light afoot she prances left

And right in deft one-two

I feel an aching in my chest

That echoes her fast puffs

And as she steps she meets my eyes

And smiles, flirts, rebuffs

I hold the frame and lead her back

Applause follows behind

I set her down onto the bed

And thank her for her time

I leave behind a garland red

With milky drops and drips

And kiss the dorsum of that hand

With poppy-soaken lips

And as she drifts now off to sleep

To rest from this ado

I murmur to the nursing staff

"She's not for ICU".