I picked this book up in my favorite used bookstore here in Chico, aptly called, "The Bookstore."  I was familiar with the Leonard Cohen song, but as I read I realized I hadn't truly absorbed the words.  Being pulled towards things that have to do with mothers, babies, and birth, I fell in love with the book.  Not only are the words appropriate to so many birth stories, coupled with Matisse pictures, the treasure comes alive in your hands.

I had carried this book in my doula bag for quite a few births before I ever had need to pull it out.  A woman, beautifully taken up by the process of working towards birthing her baby, asked her husband to read to her.  I retrieved the book, and Dad began to read the beautiful love poem to his Love.

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

I may just ask my husband to read this to me tonight...

Three ways to dance during labor:

-Slowdancing
-Belly Dancing
-Spinning Babies Suggestions