Two Left Feet: a Poem About Envy and Mental Illness

With all the mass shootings and bombings in America and elsewhere in recent years it makes me realise how widespread mental illness is and that you can't judge people by appearances. Beneath that sheep's clothing could be a wolf ready to pounce.

Mental illness is not something you can easily recognise, except for the most extreme cases. It isn't likely you will pass someone on the street or in the supermarket and think, "Oh, wow! That person is mentally unstable."

Although this poem uses dancing as an analogy, it is not really about dancing. It is trying to bring awareness of what may not be readily apparent but lurking in someone's mind, and we never know what may set off that ticking time bomb. It could be the smallest thing that breaks the camel's back.

As the band begins to play

The couples take the floor,

Smiling dancers twirl and sway,

I watch from near the door.

The foxtrot looks so very fine,

The waltz just seems to flow,

I tap my foot in perfect time

To a dance I'll never know.

The dancers' footwork so alive,

I watch them move in awe.

A smiling girl asks me to jive,

But I say my feet are sore

Although I'm eager to join in

To the addictive dancing beat,

It's a goal that I will never win,

For I have two left feet.

Everyone is having fun

As I watch on all alone.

Sometimes I wish I had a gun,

Make my jealousy be known.