Subway dancers

Subway Dancers  -   Susan Green

How I miss them!

On the subway, at the end of the car, three or four

Guys got on, muscles bulging from the t-shirts.

I could see their washboards through their shirts,

And the tight behinds in their sweatpants.

Bandanas around their foreheads.

Street dancers! Hip Hop!  Downstairs today.

 “Hey, yo!” one of them, the one with the bandbox,

“Listen up!

All we want is….. your money!”

Haat cha cha, hat cha cha..

Swinging around the pole,

Hand -standing with one arm, legs splayed,

Flips, pole push ups and back spins.

“Yo- ladies and gentlemen – now is the time!

Show your appreciation!”

Sauntering down the aisle with a hat in hand

As the train slows to the station.

I put in a dollar and get off with one of them.

 “How do you do it?” I say, “I was a dancer –once-

 Many moons ago. I can’t believe what you guys do.”

He stood up straighter, put out his hand.

“Thanks a lot.” he said, the “YO” business gone

Maybe you’d be interested in coming up to Harlem..

I’m in a ballet troupe up at a hundred and twenty fourth.

“Love to!”

“Gotta go..” he disappeared through the closing door.

“Yo!” I heard just before it shut tight.