Can Can
The Dance of Optimism

Doubt has been
And doubt can be,
Evolving, revolving anxiety
In which
Little worlds grow out of bounds
And
Even laughter holds desperate sounds.

The world's busy, grasping throngs
Bear fewer rights and weighted wrongs
'til all are Atlas with disdain,
Sick and tired of shoulder pain
Yet trudging on for presentation
To keep affluent the Prozac nation ...

On and on ...

Death will end it;
Life, like money, is how you spend it.

Souls die first,
Bodies automate;
Zombies dwell and propagate.

But how to stop it?
Where to start?

Don't waste time, it's in the heart!

But first the mind must lace its boots,
Fluff its feathers,
Meet its roots.

With boisterous yell, run on stage,
Kick up hopes,
Kick out rage;
Feel the stage lights' heat to sear
Doubt, defeat, pain, and fear;
And in the dazzling, blinding glare
See optimism everywhere!

Dance, dance for all you're worth,
Your highest value paid in mirth!

Feel the Can Can,
Feel its joy,
Say I can, I can – the world's my toy!
I can live free, 
I can live long,
I can be wise,
I can be strong,
I can be more,
I can bear less,
I can create,
I can progress!

An afterlife – that's nowhere;
Claim heaven now, if you dare,
And dare you must
To break the lock
Barring life from Offenbach!

Keep up the rhythm,
Pump the heart,
Be La Goulue – play the part – 
Lautrec's subject gorged on life,
So full with feast, no room for strife.

Soon so light, you'll dance on air,
Every kick, one less care,
And at heart with wealth and ritz
You'll give a yell,
Jump to the splits!

Best foot forward,
Past behind:
A new performance of daily grind!

That onerous world that can't be beat:
Now the stage beneath your feet!

– Mary Jo Magar –

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