When I Danced

I used to dance too

A fiery one deliberate

Steps that dreamed the end

And caught light on the silk

In time with the violins

 

Grace only physicality

Being with arches flat

Perfect turnout dead

But useless frogs and that

Scale capable of burning skies

 

Mind soon forgotten

Nothing beautiful with

Legs too fat insteps straining

Everything evil but running

Fire extinguished but the ash

 

I don’t dance anymore

Sit down as the rest fly by

My grayed silk washed by tears

Shoes in dust and broken

If only courage could kindle

 

And realize grace was always there

Photo from Lines Ballet