Let’s Dance!
Story by Jay Horton & Aurora Josephson
Pictures by Mary Josephson
Phases of the Moon
Every month the moon moves across the sky, waxing on and waning off, until, once more a little shy, it vanishes to reappear, our paladin of the night… Selenic
…to replicate, raise rounded hands from left to center to right.
Horned Lizard
A prickly pear, the horny toad oft confuses foes, through camouflage and spitting blood through five feet spurted floes, but best of all, the wily toad will spring to start its run and quickly stop, surprising predators who find their race over before begun… …extending arms forward and dipping chest as if to bow, we hurl into the maddest dash: feet don’t fail us now!
Accelerate/DECELERATE
AlLigator
Hypercarnivore
Though weak of arms and none too tall, the gators teeth were made to maul, and gnash and bite with fearsome jaws, they obviate the need for claws… …with arms extended, fingers locked, they snap together in a shock, while your lower half shimmies and sways, like a saunter through the Everglades.
White Stag
A fearsome beast of myth and lore, the White Stag stands forevermore, announcing great change for good or worse, so heralded through song and verse…
…Topped by crown of branched spears, we imitate the creature’s bouts, by interlacing fingers on ears and bending low for tilted joust.
Donkey
Pack animals of open minds with mule and horse among their mix, donkeys are no pushovers.
Let interlopers beware those kicks!…
…rear back those hooves from left to right, loosen the throat to bray, extend fingers above thine ears to better hear the yelp of prey.
Snow Leopard Prusten
Well adapted to their environs, their grey fur thickens to deceive, with small ears lessening heat loss, and big snouts warming air they breathe… …Broad pads act as snowshoes, unfurling claws to rip and rend. Their mighty leaps rise 30 feet, midst silent ascent.
Catch a Falling Star
The starlight that we see above first shone aeons ago, by the time the starlight meets our eyes, may have cooled, to afterglow…
Nebulae
Octopus
The stealthy denizens of the deep, may creep along at snails pace, Or thru gathered water use jet propulsion to win the race…
Locomotion
…2,4,6,8, who do we appreciate? Octopi! Octopi! Now, move your arms and un-du-late!
A femme fatale of ancient myth, whose coif of snakes won each battle
petrifying all who met her glance, and cackling past their long death rattle…
Serpentine Serpent
…if you wish to see another day, cover your eyes and run away!
Parrot
Extraordinary lifespans grant parrots wisdom enough to learn, nothing delights humans like their own words endlessly returned.
A gilded cage awaits those birds taught when to coo or silently obey…
Mimicry
…If ere you wish to sing your song, flap arms and fly away!
Neath rider clad in suit and cap, they thrill the grand concourse.
Dance partners linked by mind and creed — put art before the horse …
Horsey Dressage
…Trot, canter, gallop round the tracks til lungs threaten to burst!
The promise of an apple’s why we dressage rehearse.
SALMON
From inland waters’ placid schools, each salmon dreams to roam til, borne back by the currents they must fight their way toward home … …with head held high, loose all below toward fevered conga jams. Shimmy and sway and launch yourself — torpedo past the dams!
Anadromous
Moth
On fragile wings and weakened eyes, the moth’s more brave than clever.
Though his means of flight dissolve when touched, he butts his head wherever …
Setae
… Do hobbling doubts and blinkered fears spring traps of deepest night? Each dreaming hides a universe!
Go find your inner light.
For Catherine, who opened the door to an enchanted world…
Let’s Dance
Let’s Dance our way through a menagerie of animals in our wild kingdom, and learn some of their movements: Put on your dancing shoes and frolic, through snow leopard, burro and lizard, too.
You may dance along with us by scanning this QR Code, and jumping into our YouTube Channel!
Let us be your dance partner and we will guide you through our bestiary, depositing you gently into dreamland...