Unchoreographed

Recently, I was approached by a lovely man who wanted me to compose a poem for his young bride and mother of his two babies.

He gave me a few details, including a link to the song that his wife had had made for him the previous year. He asked specifically for a poem, but he did not know what kind or really anything about the process.

So, I approached it as I would a research project. I asked some specific questions, and I discovered that they are both professional ballroom dancers, specifically Latin dancers. I also learned, well, more intuited that the man was someone who lived a very goal-oriented life with a strict "plan-based" approach to life.

He divulged to me that his wife, a few years his junior, had been the first one to fall and had a slightly more "leap and a net will appear" approach to life. I also dug around his and her poetic tastes, and determined, and later confirmed through him, that they were the Sonnet-type of couple.

So, I approached their poem with a few personal details, and used (at least initially) the very traditional Shakespearean Sonnet form for their poem. It evolved, as poetry so often does, however, and in the end, between his personal details and my intuition and artistic license, I came up with a poem that lent itself beautifully (if I say so myself) to being put to music.

I'm delighted to report that they... were delighted. They love their poem and the fact that it lends itself to musical adaptation.

So... for that unnamed couple:

_________________________

(Verse One)

With a singular vision I lived

My life like a dance–

Each and every step choreographed,

leaving nothing to chance.

But destiny had other plans,

and a different path was revealed...

With just a single glance,

our fate was sealed.

(Chorus)

You knew right from the start,

but I fell a step behind,

never believing another’s heart with mine

could be so perfectly aligned.

You inspired me to take a chance,

and to believe in true romance.

(Verse Two)

So, at fifteen hundred feet,

on bended knee, you made me complete,

when you said that you’d have me.

You’ve given me a second chance

and shown me a new way to live.

So, together we will always dance,

living life unchoreographed.

(Chorus)

You knew right from the start,

but I fell a step behind,

never believing another’s heart with mine

could be so perfectly aligned.

You inspired me to take a chance,

and to believe in true romance.

(Refrain)

You inspired me to take a chance,

And to believe...

in true romance.

(Verse Three)

Right from the start–

you took care of my every need,

and now I promise to do my part...

In loving you,

I’ll take the lead.

(Bridge)

You inspired me to take a chance

and believe in true romance.

So, each morning we awake,

Love.

and every goodnight kiss we share,

Love.

With every step Izabella and Gabriel take,

Love.

And every new memory we make,

Love.

Lean on me!

and I’ll take the lead

in fulfilling your each

and every need.

(Repeat Chorus/Refrain Fade Out)

________________________

Unchoreographed by Lena Folkert

©Lena Folkert, 2025, all rights reserved. (with an assist by SUNO)