Nineteen Fourty Four
[dancing the foxtrot]

Memories surfaced, I saw my parents

young and full of themselves.

He an Army Air Force pilot.

She a hostess at the USO.

The sudden rushing realization

of youth, impetuousness, and intention

to make a difference

in a world at war.

Feeling grateful for this . . .

this source of influence is deep in my bones.

Dictates of the time

flying into the future, together,

flying in formation

towards a life together

Moving on as seeing them anew

no longer as old:                young, with all that vigor.

No dementia any more,                 gone now

they are dancing the foxtrot together to Benny Goodman.

— Raymond Whitaker