I've been conned into going with some friends to bootscooting lately, and I smile everytime I remember the many bush poets that laugh about the bootscooters and how they always look so serious when they dance!!
The group are having a christmas hoe down soon, and because some of the ladies have seen me in Boyup Brook at the poetry, they asked if I would do a bootscooting poem for them. (and thanks for those who replied to my request in lost poetry for a bootscooting poem!). Well first, I don't do humour, and second, I'm so rusty at writing, it's not funny!!! But wrote this on my way home to Jurien today - meant to be recited with some actions, not just read - so metre is a bit dicky for a written piece!
It might not mean anything much to anyone who doesn't know bootscooting (into which category I fit in!!!)
Why Bootscooters Don’t Smile!
© Irene Conner 27/11/15
I’ve been a bush poet and I’ve heard what they say
about the bootscooters, and the serious way
that they step out their dance with a non-smiling face
as they tap, and they turn, not a foot out of place.
They stare straight ahead as they vine to the right
then a fancy quickstep with no signs of delight.
And always I’d ponder why they stayed on the floor
if they found no enjoyment in the dance anymore.
So I set out to search for a bootscooting mate
in the hopes she’d explain this unusual trait.
She said ‘well, it might seem unusual for you,
but you know that bootscooting’s not easy to do?”
“I’ll take you one night, if you’ll give it a go.
You just need to try it, and then you will know.’
And I thought ‘just how hard can this bootscooting be?’
as I set out to show them what fun it should be.
The teacher said ‘one, two three, hitch – and return.
This step’s called a vine – and it’s easy to learn’
But I stepped to the left, instead of the right,
and the smile on my face disappeared from sight.
I stood in confusion; I heard her voice say
‘step, point and back – rock those hips; let them sway.’
‘It’s Cha cha cha, cha cha cha, vine once again.
Step forward, now turn and pretend you’re a plane.
I found myself facing the wall at the back
and hoping they’d cut this beginner some slack
as I stumbled and turned when I should have stood still,
and started to realize - these steps took some skill.
I got in the flow, and I started to smile
and I let my thoughts wander for just a wee while.
Then suddenly – ouch!! Someone stepped into me.
It seems I had drifted from where I should be!!
Waltz, two three, waltz, two three, back now the same –
I thought I had nailed it, when she called out my name.
She said to me ‘Irene, you’ve really no style!
And I thought you believed that bootscooters should smile?!’
Well, I hung my head low as I walked off the floor,
the question I’d pondered, I ponder no more.
Their mind’s always focussed with keeping the pace
and there’s never the thought for a smile on their face!!
