Shimmy Drill

A bit of soreness in my thighs,
that’s what I get for being a paperweight as a child -

hips that aren’t quite as fluid as I’d like,
feet that turn out,
and a bit of a slouch.

Muscles groan.
Bones ask me,
"Do you really want to do this?"

Then the music starts.
I whirl,
brought to life by the rhythm.

I scoff at the soreness.
There will be stretches.
And perhaps Epsom salts later.
But, yes,
I want this.





Image used with kind permission of the artist, Meredith Dillman
This and other art by her is available at her etsy store The Art of Meredith Dillman.

Song choice: Chicky by Oojami 
This poem was created from a prompt offered by Magaly Guerrero for NaPoWriMo (Day 8: It Hurts But Does Not Harm)

40 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I pretty much was one as a kid! I kept papers from blowing away by reading them. :)

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  2. A great illustration of the prompt, Rommy!

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  3. I'm on the dance floor with you :D XXX

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  4. Shimmy, shimmy, shake. I feel like a paperweight now. :-o Good write.

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  5. Before I start reading the poem, let me say that your title made me take a deeper breathe. *goes up to read*

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    1. Oh thank goodness! The soreness brought on by practicing belly dancing. And here I was, with my eyes as big as moons, thinking, Oh my goodness, the topic is "hurt and harm" and she starts with a "shiny drill"!

      Love how you describe that the gain is definitely worth the hurt.

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    2. I've never had a cavity *grins* but that would have made a good way to go.

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  6. I can hear your hip scarf jingling! You nailed it!

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  7. Thank you for reminding me that there is more to hurt than pain :D

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    1. You are most welcome :) I need the reminder too when I start working on new dance combinations, especially when they don't come easy.

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  8. Swirling & twirling, shimmy shaking, man that felt good, mmmm, how about a massage after the bath too, she says still wanting to jingle a little longer :)

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  9. Why is the cost of pleasure always self pain? Shimmy! all day long! 💜

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    1. Well after the muscles adjust it doesn't ache quite so much :)

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  10. It's great to see someone tackle the physical aspect of this--I think it is the harder one. Pain is useless unless you make it a servant instead of a master--difficult, but dancing *always* helps. Loved it.

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    1. It definitely is one of those pains that's worth it. As an awkward and exceedingly nonphysically motivated kid, learning an art form that involved body not brain was rough! There's always going to be a new move to master. But hell, its a heck of a lot of fun. :)

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  11. I think we all like the paperweight line. Another warm and witty offering, Rommy.

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  12. LOVE it! I can feel the urge to dance despite of our muscles being sore. The rhythm does seem to have its effect on us doesn't it? :D wink wink. Beautifully executed. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support :D :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  13. What a delight to read this wondering whether I too could get up and do a jig!

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  14. Good old epsom salts where would we be without it....I enjoyed your take on this prompt...

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    1. Thanks! Yeah I owe so very much to Epsom salts.

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  15. "Then the music starts." whew...a life changer...& like everyone love that paperweight line :)

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    1. LOL, I love making that joke a lot, especially because as an adult people see me as being quite energetic. I guess I stored up all that energy until I could let it out.

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  16. I loved and chuckled at your shimmy drill - it's all about the wanting to ;)

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    1. Yup, and wanting to do it well is an excellent motivator.

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  17. I love rereading your poems. This time around, I'm taken by how bad she wants the dance... and to want it is to do it... and doing it while wanting it is everything... Yum!

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  18. I love to dance. And there have been times when I've felt exhausted but once I hear the rythm of a good latin beat, my body doesn't care. It responds. I totally relate to your lovely poem.
    Love the painting.

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  19. Haha! I recognise these bodily complaints!

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