What does the first line of the fourth stanza mean?

Question

The poem "Burning the Old Year" by Naomi Shihab Nye.

"Quick dance, with shuffle of losses and leaves"

I am unsure what this means.

Answer 1

I think it means a year in life could be considered a dance. You might lose things-gloves, a book, or someone you love. In the meantime, autumn comes, and with it fall when the leaves come down.