In the morning,
a song slips,
slides suddenly into my head
“Shall We Dance,”
a mini-movie in my mind,
Anna and the King twirl
I see her gown swirl
just that,
just for a second
the way dreams do,
encompassing entire lives
in a flash, flame, and then disappear,
and I wonder
what just happened?
I go about my day,
but later,
in my car,
I turn on the radio,
hear a clear soprano voice sing “Shall We Dance,”
it’s an actress touring in The King and I,
coincidence, synchronicity, cosmic joke?
I wonder
just for a second
(time expands and contracts
paths diverge)
just for a second,
I wonder—
how do these things happen?
Perhaps I really am,
Queen of the Universe,
I could bring world peace,
people would sing and dance,
we’d all have
a clear understanding,
this kind of thing can happen,
can’t it?
(another path perhaps,
another road)
a truck passes me,
I keep on driving
Details of two dancers from the Tomb of the Triclinium in the Necropolis of Monterozzi
Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dance, Don’t Fight
The radio interview was on Here and Now .
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love when those things happen. If anything can bring people together, it’s music, singing and dancing. And what a great illustration! (K)
Thanks, Kerfe.
It’s so weird when things like that happen, but it’s cool, too. Isn’t that illustration great? And then I wonder what was going on in that artist’s head thousands of years ago.
Many good things I think!
🙂
I like your possibilities given of “coincidence, synchronicity, or cosmic joke,” Merril. This is so cool! I like the song, by the way. I also enjoy your imagining yourself as, Queen of the Universe.
I would much prefer You to be in charge than those who are building up their ammunition and arms supplies.
I love when this happens to me, “a dreamer,” also. This happenstance seems like a “gift.” 🎁
Thank you, Robin. It is is fun, and yes, I suppose a bit of a gift, when this happens.
The Queen of the Universe is actually a bit of an inside joke. I used to write the e-mail announcements for the music parents organization when my girls were in high school, and I used to say something about how the world will be different when I’m Queen of the Universe. 🙂
I used to, as a single Mom, tell my kids I was the Queen of our palace. 😀
🙂
Beautiful Merril, who can forget the beauty of the King and I and Shall We Dance!
Thank you, Holly.
That musical does have so many beautiful songs.
It has a beautiful sound track Merril, but that one is truly classic!
Music has a way of cutting through to the heart of the matter. Maybe we do need a Queen of the Universe to bring about world peace.
Thank you very much, Suzanne.
Synchronicity it is!
🙂
Love this! It’s always creepy cool when that kind of thing happens. It’s not exactly frisson. But I’m sure there’s a word for it somewhere.
Thank you, Mr. Crow. It is creepy cool when it happens. Frisson is a great word. Yes, not quite that, but there is that touch of excitement.
Ahhh, you’ve got fantastic rhythm, Merril — in poetry and song. Perhaps you really are Queen of the Universe!
Thank you, Rose. If I am Queen of the University, I better get to work! 🙂
Lol. Start first with the orange fool please. 😊
🙂
I missed this one yesterday, Merril.
Your mood has a serendipitous ring to it. You are definitely Queen of the Universe in this space.
Thanks so much, Marian. 🙂
Splendid – brought back to reality in the last two lines
Thanks so much, Derrick. 🙂
A lovely urging from your soul to keep dancing💃
Thank you very much, Susan. Dancing is good for the soul. 🙂
Dear Queen of the Universe: Can there be TWO queens? Because I totally believe in synchronicity and it happens all the time for me, also. Now, Shall We Dance into our writing minds, our poetic minds, and ask the universe for more proof of our ‘queen-ness’? 😉
Hahaha. You’re so funny, Pam.
I used to write the emails for the music parents’ group at my girls’ high school–and I used to say something about how things would be different if I was Queen of the Universe.
But I’m perfectly happy to share my queendom with you. 🙂
You’re a sweetie! ❤
🙂
You’re incredibly creative M. And able to take on any subject. It may seem odd to say but I’m appreciative of your compendium of subjects related to rape, you did it very well every gender studies and psychology class should read it. Such a talented lady.
Thank you so much!
I’m glad you think the book is so valuable. 🙂
Merril, I have not even met you and I admire you so I guess you did a terrific job but then you are friends of Jane and she’s an incredible woman so I should not be surprised that she has such talented friends.
It’s so weird that I’ve never met Jane either, or any of the bloggers I follow. But thank you!
It’s my pleasure.
PS if you ever do an update on the book or a similar subject I would love to donate myself to the cause and help you even in any small way I could, because I totally believe in this and what you did and it would be an honor. Just keep that in mind should it ever come up and you need a slave 😉
I might have mentioned that the press chose to do a different version instead of the update. I’m starting to go crazy over it. The manuscript deadline is coming up soon. If I could find a way to put you to work on it, I would. 🙂 I’m also doing another reference book with someone else on rape culture, an international perspective. It’s a collection of essays.
If you’re interested in history, check out the collection of articles I did: Sex and Sexuality in Early America and Sex Without Consent. Thanks so much for your support!
You are welcome. I am here if you need a helper I would be very happy to help I mean that.
People who can’t dance try their best to make others limp
Thank you. I hope most people are not like that.
No not at all it’s a chosen few