The Ceroc Years - Number Seventeen

WHEN

When you can keep in time while those around you
Are losing track and treading on your feet;
When you can stay aloof as others hound you
And still forgive them that they miss the beat;
When you can flirt and not give in to flirting,
Or being stamped upon don’t kick and stamp,
Or being hurt you don’t admit the hurting,
And yet don’t act too coy nor play the vamp.

When you can spin – but not scorn clumsy spinners;
When you can drop – and do all drops with glee;
When you can dance with experts and beginners
And treat all dancing partners equally;
When you can laugh to see steps you created
Plundered by those with no ideas to share,
Or hear them say, they think your style outdated,
Just smile and proffer your most gracious air.

When you can sing along to every lyric,
No matter how banal the sentiment;
Or mouth the words and not be too satiric,
Nor say, ‘that’s not how the original went’;
When you can summon up sufficient vigour,
To dance with all the men who ask you to,
But take your drink and never lose your figure,
And keep your make-up fresh the whole night through.

When you can talk with bores and yet be charming,
And dance with fools who have no skill at all;
When even jumps no longer seem alarming,
And all men count on you to break their fall;
When you can grant this unrepentant poet
A dance or two and not display hauteur,
You’ll be a star and everyone will know it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a ceroqueur!