To dance is my rebellion.
To move this body through time and space,
to move unapologetically, expansively,
refusing to shrink, to be silent, to disappear.
Take up space.
Letting go of what no longer serves me,
While acknowledging the history that this body carries.
MY body speaking truth.
Exposed.
Every moment dancing my body tells a piece of its’ story.
Every moment leading to this moment.
Every memory residing in my soma
Informs this DANCE
Love lives in my heart.
Beat. Pulse. Circulate.
Sadness lives in my bones.
Shake. Break. Collapse.
Anger resides in my muscles.
Clench. Throw. Kick.
Sensuality lives on my skin.
Caress. Glide. Lick.
Pleasure resides in my flesh.
Deny. Feed. Satiate.
The ability to transform lives in this movement.
It is in these moments of awareness, I know I am alive.
So, I keep moving.
I dance.
Somedays, the only dance I am capable of is breathing.
Inhale. Exhale.
I have learned that,
Sometimes, the smallest dance makes the biggest difference.
Afterall, raising a finger can be an act of strength & defiance.
Breathing a little deeper, an act of resilience
Curling the lips up to form a smile, an act of bravery
Even in tears, a dance of letting go.
Every movement proclaiming
I exist.
I am still here.
I am dancing!
Alicia Leigh Hann
Bring the Elders Their Ice Cream
During the last six weeks of his life on this earth, I brought my Baba all the ice cream that he wanted. One night in mid-May during an important discussion with Baba, a man I grew to see as my father over the last decade, Joey (another member of my queer family of choice in recovery) brought home Dairy Queen Blizzards and sundaes. I saw Baba’s face light up as he ate this precious Blizzard from Dairy Queen as if it were sacred manna from heaven. Strawberry Banana manna to be specific. He polished it off and then threw it into the wastepaper basket by his reclining chair with dramatic flourish. Not just a Dairy Queen, a drama queen to boot!
June 30, 2025
4 Responses
Beautiful! Powerfully spoken text. Will you choreograph to this poem and perform a new work soon?
Beautiful.
This is so beautiful! You are such an amazing soul!
Oh Ashley, this is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Reading this seriously brought tears to my eyes and touched our heart as we all felt this deeply. Keep writing!! Hugs & Luv ya!!