Power of Song

I have a 10 second maximum
memory for music. Little melodies
stay in my mind for years, repeating
until the essence of the song
dries to a tubercle.

When I, absent-mindedly doing dishes, go:
bedop bedop bedop bediddle bedop bedop,
I am eight and it's May Day in Lacey Park Pa..
I have on my crisp dungarees
and particular straw hat
Mrs. Driscole ordered us to buy,
doing the Mexican Hat Dance,
heel toe heel toe,
with my partner Ruth.

Partnership is fresh
shining like a present.
I have to hold her hand, which is
strong and fat.
Each girl's hand is different,
all made of special flesh,
scarey.
I want it to last.