Alight in the Dance - Dina Sleiman

Matthew 3:11-17 Acts 2:1-3 Revelation 22:17

My soul waits on the wind. Sweep down from on high,

from mountain peaks descend and through me—flow—

and I will watch the leaves enthralled in dance.

Inspired by your breath they’ll lightly swirl

through motions, smooth and soft, yet full of life,

enchanted by a spirit so divine.

Oh wind, lend me now your spirit so divine.

Alight me with your dance to soar on high.

Come pour in me your vast consuming life

and let my body now begin to flow

in your hands, on your breath, begin to swirl

and move. Delight, my soul, in the dance.

Like flames that glow and flicker I will dance

within a warming light that feels divine.

Those undulant, soft tongues, I’ve seen them swirl

as they are fanned, within the wind grow high,

and in the coals I’ve watched the molten flow

‘til I’m entranced by such intense and fiery life.

Oh fire, burn me now and fill me with your life

that so intensely moves into the dance.

Melt me until my body pours and flows

in rhythms at once earthy and divine,

and then my soul will fan and flame so high

that I’ll be lost within your rhythmic swirl.

Like rivers strong and coursing we will swirl:

those rivers that give power and bring life,

then vaporize and floating up so high

begin again—the clouds—the raindrop dance

to wash my upturned face. A gift divine,

so cool, so sweet, those rivulets will flow.

Oh rain, come now and wash me with your flow.

And under soothing showers, I will swirl,

and I will stretch my arms to your divine

touch upon my turned-up palms, feeling life,

feeling you, in a wild and watery dance.

What a rush. What transcendence. What a high!

So spirit, come and flow and grant me life

that sends my body swirling in the dance

filled with your divine presence from on high.

Dina Steiman holds a MA in Professional Writing from Regent University and a BA in Communications with a minor in English from Oral Roberts University. Over the past fourteen years she has taught college writing and literature, as well as high school and elementary classes in English, Humanities, and Fine Arts. A number of her poems have been published. Her poetry has been published in a number of anthologies and magazines including The Poetry Church, The Poet's Pen, and Focus Magazine. In 1994, Regent University received a Gold Circle Award for their publication of her poem, "Shadows on the Wall.”