Extra Dirty Dancing

“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” is on WBQQ

and I’m imagining myself as Frances Houseman, 

soaring through the air, body outstretched 

and supported by Johnny Castle’s rippled arms.

Like most Gen X’ers, I spent my youth 

titillated by this iconic scene, the soundtrack 

instantly unlocking my pelvis, making me sweat

and leaving me nostalgic for the original nose. 

It’s interesting, I think, how not a single song

makes me think of that scrappy bombshell, 

Penny, Johnny’s original dancing partner, 

her pretty face streaked with tears

when she discovers she’s pregnant,

and I never recall Robbie, the Yale student 

who denies knocking her up, since he has a future,

she’s working class, and it’s summer after all.

Like most people, I block Penny out, 

refuse to think about the quack, the dirty knife, 

the folding table and agonized cries,

her ensuing sepsis and near death,

and instead, soar through the air like Baby,

once sweet and naive, now hot as hell,

since the only way to perfect The Lift 

depends on reimagining the plotline.