Don’t Count the Steps

I stood by the wall,
watching the floor.
Everyone moved
like they'd done it before.

I knew every reason
to stay where I was.
Then you held out your hand
and said, “Come on.”

I watched my feet.
You shook your head.

“Don't count the steps.
Listen instead.”

Don't count the steps.
Don't chase the beat.
Stop asking where
you're supposed to be.

Some things in life
you'll never control.
Let your body follow
what your heart already knows.

I missed a turn.
You didn't care.
We lost the rhythm,
then found it there.

For once I wasn't
thinking ahead.
I heard the music,
not my own head.

No perfect move.
No perfect plan.

You smiled and said,
“Just dance.”

Don't count the steps.
Don't chase the beat.
Stop asking where
you're supposed to be.

Some things in life
you'll never control.
Let your body follow
what your heart already knows.

All my life
I needed to know
where I was going
before I would go.

That night,
I didn't.

Don't count the steps.
Don't chase the beat.
Sometimes getting lost
is exactly what you need.

No perfect answer.
No perfect plan.
I stopped counting.

And learned to dance.