Pop Dancer Like the top black keys of the piano, notes sing high with the rhythmic taps of the retired dancer, clinking with cart. Soft shoeing the sidewalks with coined heels, his steps ping to possess children to pop out doors for this ice cream man. With fraying brown loafers supporting whitish peach leotards, the poor artist wears last clothes. But to sugar-glazed eyes of pressed adoration, he dresses as Creamsicle with fudgesicle shoes. Surrounded by tiny hands pushing silver, mobbed by grasping glee, this past performer remembers his taking of limelight, applause, bouquets followed by deep bows. The simple audience shows small faces treasuring his treats, satisfied as any crowd served up by his dimming memory. After the last child scampers home, this dancer folds up his stage, then skips a heel click with hat tip, spins his wagon wheels in circles, turns the street corner in song. Copyright © James E Magyary 2000