If I danced with my feet As I dance in my dreaming, As graceful and gleaming As Death in disguise- Oh, that would be sweet, But then would I hunger To be ten years younger, Or wedded, or wise? The
The speaker reflects on the yearning for the perfect expression of freedom and grace through dance, desiring to replicate the elegance experienced in dreams. This yearning is juxtaposed with the realization of deeper desires linked to youth and wisdom, highlighting a conflict between the joy of dance and the lingering wishes for a different life stage.
The imagery evokes a sense of beauty in movement, yet it also acknowledges the complexities of aging and the pursuit of wisdom. The speaker's thoughts create a poignant tension between longing for the past and the appreciation of the present moment, revealing the bittersweet nature of desire.
