Look, she said, at the colours that flash as I turn,
Reds, auburns, russets, golds
Breathe, she said, breathe the air that stops as I pass,
Soft, hushed, calm, electric
Listen, she said, to the music that follows my moves,
Songs, whistles, drums of the forest
Smell, she said, smell my perfume as I sway,
Still turning heads and breaking hearts
Feel, she said, feel the strength of my feet
Solid, rooted, grounded
Watch, she said, watch the swirl of my skirt
Watch it fold, and dance, and twirl,
As I scatter confetti
As I move in the forest
As I dance to the birdsong
As I breathe out my perfume
As I stand here sure-footed
In my full female power
Watch, she said
As I swing through the seasons
As I dance through the decades
Learn, she said
As I shake my leaves
As I twirl my skirt
As I show you just how to dance.