We Don’t Think We Can Dance, But We Do It Anyway

Every few years, my husband and I take ballroom dancing classes. We never make much progress, but we do have a good time. Except, of course, for the bruised limbs … and egos.

I’m celebrating our latest lesson attempt with a two-part limerick:

We Don’t Think We Can Dance, But We Do It Anyway
By Madeleine Begun Kane

My husband and I like to dance.
Are we good? Oh no way — not a chance.
I am not being humble
In saying we stumble
And often trip over our pants.

But we’re working on rumba and swing.
Plan a do-over class in the spring.
And to those who might think
That we really do stink,
Just be glad we’re not trying to sing.

UPDATE: Happy International Dance Day! (April 29th)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

15 Responses to “We Don’t Think We Can Dance, But We Do It Anyway”

  1. Love the last line!

    I’m with you on the singing. Even though I’m a musician, I’ve got no singing chops. Scary, in fact when I try.

    Keep up the dancing though!

  2. madkane says:

    Thanks, ONE of THE GUYS! I too am a musician (an oboist) with a bad singing voice. People assume that trained instrumentalists can sing. Sadly, that often isn’t true.

  3. haha! I love the thought of the two of you “tripping the light fantastic”. I’ve taken salsa lessons and thought I was doing great…until I tried it with a partner. I’m working on learning the hand signals -left turn – right turn, etc.

  4. Mad Kane says:

    Thanks, Cheryl. And have a good time with your salsa! Dance lessons can be frustrating, but even if you barely make it to mediocre, it’s a fun experience.

  5. Brett says:

    That was so funny and cute. I’m just curious by the way. Is a “limerick” just a white person’s version of rap with out the base and getting caught outside of night club with guns in the car??

  6. madkane says:

    Oh no! Brett’s on to us!

  7. Bejewell says:

    My husband and I took tango lessons once. After two lessons it was painfully clear that we were the worst in the class. Between my insistence on leading and his consistent foot-shuffling, we really didn’t stand a chance. We spent most of each class bickering and not dancing at all. Even the instructor hated us.

    On our way to the third class (of a six-class series) we passed by a local bar and grill. We took one look at each other, shook our heads, and went for burgers instead.

    Best decision we ever made.

  8. madkane says:

    Bejewell, I can definitely relate.

  9. Sally Franz says:

    OMG, That is hysterical.

    We had private lessons where we begged our instructor to teach us fancy patterns. He said we should perfect our style first. Ha what style? Anyway if we ever get out in public with these tarnished skills…it will be on a cruise and any style will be compromised by the tilt of the ship.

  10. madkane says:

    LOL! Thanks, Sally. Glad you enjoyed it!

  11. It’s refreshing to see some original, well written content…great post.

  12. G.K.Bostic says:

    rofl….love this!!!

  13. madkane says:

    Thanks so much G.K. and Cathryn!

  14. Elizabeth says:

    Having already read ‘Couple on the move,’ and this one, I really think you should do a series of them, each one about one type of dance. They are wonderfully funny and endearing because they are so relatable. I used to dance and loved it. Now I watch “So You Think You Can Dance” and wince at what some of these people can and do do. Thanks for the refreshing laughter,

    Elizabeth

  15. madkane says:

    What a wonderful idea, Elizabeth. Thanks!