a week of questions – One

When James Brown sings, “Get up offa that thing and dance ’til you feel better,” I wonder what’s “that thing” he’s talking about? A chair? A pogo stick? Self-pity? A Joshua tree? The nest of seven spiders? A self-diagnosis? A yoga mat? My favorite blue recliner? Spilled milk? The place of lack?

Yesterday, in the car with Ann, no radio playing, I began singing Wilson Pickett’s “Land of a Thousand Dances.” Specifically the line, “You got to know how to Pony, like Bony Maronie.” I didn’t then, and don’t this morning, remember if I ever knew how to Pony, or if I ever danced that way. But, I’m willing to bet the Pony would work just fine in “dance ’til you feel better.” Though I still don’t have a clue about what “that thing” is.

Do you?