a tilting of air

oh, to live life limberly
the balls of one foot set and centered
knee slightly bent
umbrellaed by the other leg
floating just so
with arms outstretched holding
life lightly, as feather-weight,
to pivot and bend and extend
head high and supple spine
to animate and ambulate grace

no

we like to fix our soles to the ground
plant the heels and curl the toes
knees stiff as bridge bearings
allowing just so much bend and sway
with arms clutched to our guts
under a hunched back
fretting fingers gripping
a burden of treasured dust
squeezing out the heart
with each lumbering step