Quiver dance (A play on Queer & River)

By Audrey Correa

A river flows, sometimes in peace,

At times in rage;

Its undulating exuberance intolerable to man

who builds a dam, to contain the river

to make it ‘fit in'

with how it would be most useful

and least threatening to him.

Restraints are used

So is force, and shame

Suppression until repression becomes a way of life

Walk a different walk, they scold
Walk like a man, walk like a woman, a whip to the bottom
Sway. Don’t sway. Hands down.
Chest out. Head down. Tame, tame, tame, guilt, guilt, guilt. 

What a relief! Now you make sense to all!

Now you are safe. Now we are safe.