The First Tango in London

The First Tango in London

We entered on a dare

signed our names with borrowed pens

him in his best clothes,

me in a dress too tight to breathe

but something in the room said

you belong dance it do it.

The judges sat with steely eyes

clipboards ready

measuring sins in seconds

but we didn’t flinch

we had rhythm in defiance

and fire to spare

The music cracked like thunder

and we began

no warm-up, no rehearsal

just his hand at my waist

my foot on the beat

A crowd also that vanished

from the dance floor

the moment we moved.

I didn’t look at him

I just didn’t need to

we spoke in silences

in heel turns and flicks

in a breath drawn sharp

just before the slide

Other couples danced for marks

we danced to prove them wrong

London had never seen us

but tonight it would remember

He spun me near the edge

close enough to feel the nerves

of a girl with perfect posture

but no story

we had story

we had scars

we had sweat and soul

When the last note broke

he didn’t bow

I didn’t curtsey

we just stood

holding the moment

as if applause would cheapen it

We didn’t win

but we walked out

like the floor was ours

That was enough for us.