Seats
Before a table of white
People, I stand with ballet
Slippers strapped/soft soles
Head pointed towards the angels.
A dance, I commence. Pirouette
Grand adage, en point
Followed by flight as a helium
Addicted balloon.
Circling a table of white
People, I act as the Central
Line: quick/convenient/
Struggling to breathe.
A dance, I conclude. Magic
Hopefully proven
Gate optimistically opened
Handcuffs gracefully broken.
Dipo Baruwa-Etti is a playwright and poet. He has been published in The Good Journal, Amaryllis, and had his work showcased nationwide as part of End Hunger UK’s touring exhibition on food insecurity.
‘Seats’ was originally published on 10th July 2019. It was one of IS&T’s nominations for the 2020 Forward Prize for Best Single Poem.