Life's Dance

I glanced in the mirror

Hoping I looked nice

For I was soon to attend

The elaborate dance called Life.

My elders had whispered to me

Words of advice

Speaking of hardship,

Of pain,

Of strife.

Yet they also spoke of great things,

They said the good outweighed the bad.

They said the joys you would experience

Would make the sadness...

Not so sad.

And so I eagerly set out

And packed a splendid array of dress

Because for a date with Destiny,

One must always look their best.

And since no one ever knows

Just how long Life's dance will last,

I packed a halo and some wings

Just in case it ended fast.

With a smile and a wave

I set off, standing tall

Not knowing what to expect

When I finally reached the ball.

As I strode up to the scene

It was beautiful and bright

And the dancers on the pedestal

Were laughing with delight.

I wanted to be like them

So I put on the right clothes,

Then I lined my eyes and pinched my cheeks

And liberally powdered my nose.

But when I reached their perch

I was not asked to dance

And none of the guys, with their smiling eyes,

Even gave me a second glance.

I didn't stay long, for their message was clear;

I heard in their giggles:

"You're not welcome here".

Next I spotted the scholars

On break from their classes, 

Their beautiful dresses accessorized

By glasses.

They seemed well-respected

So I grabbed some spectacles

And blazed through the masses

To try and join their festival.

However, I soon discovered

I just couldn't keep up.

Compared to experts on philosophy,

There's no way I'd measure up.

In search of a simpler crowd,

I found myself among the servants.

And I had brought the perfect outfit;

It seemed tailored for this purpose.

I went and changed into a plain white gown

And slipped in among the waitresses.

I had no knowledge of the business

Or just how fast-paced it is.

I upturned tables,

Broke plates,

Spilled drinks.

When the host finally fired me

I almost said thanks!

But then I realized I was lost and alone.

At the edge of the party,

I had no friend to call my own.

I wandered from the celebration,

Meandering without purpose,

When I stumbled upon a ruffian gang

That looked hard as nails on the surface.

Their looks weren't deceiving, 

For they were mean as could be.

But then again, 

They were the only

Group that had welcomed me.

I dressed like them.

I walked like them.

I fought like them.

I talked like them.

Yet I never really wanted to be one of them.

So I fled for my safety,

For my sanity too. 

Then utterly hopeless,

I decided what I must do.

I trashed all my gowns,

Put on some jeans,

Some old beat-up sneakers,

And my favorite baggy T.

I'd had enough, 

I was done,

I was sick.

This whole dance of Life

Had been a cruel trick.

I made my way out

Bitter as can be,

When a handsome man stopped me.

He'd been waiting for me.

With a low bow

He asked me to dance.

I couldn't help but notice

His shirt, sneakers, and pants.

I had finally stopped trying

To be something I'm not,

And just like this stranger,

I liked me a lot.

Reviews

[HeavenSunArcadez]

I Love it... this is very inspirational and totally had me zoned in... while reading this it was like nothing else around me even mattered... i was eager to read more... this had the effect of reeling me into its vortex in a positive way... because this great piece had message, flow and great delivery... Most importantly in life we have to remember to always be ourselves.... because being what were not meant for takes days off our lives, and puts us through trials we wouldve never even had to encounter... Plus theres nothing more special than being loved, liked and appreciated for just being you... and knowing u dont have to go out of your way to impress people... but we can all be liked just being ourselves... own style.. own personality and natural attire and looks.... wonderful write

[Steve]

Wow. This is excellent! I love the reasonableness, the wisdom, and the power of this write.

[gabrielle]

we sometimes have the wrong notion that in order to fit in the crowd, we must change our ways and imitate them. But in the end, it's never worth it to change our ways in order to conform to the standards of others. This is beautifully written verse.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

no matter what they tell you...it isn't like what it is until you experience it for yourself...
and then you find the dress doesn't matter, you are still you underneath...and that is what you need to be.. "stop trying to be something i'm not...and just like this stranger, i liked me a lot"

love that ending...

although a bit longer than my taste...i really felt the transition in this, and how life makes us who we are..no one can tell us how to be, or how life is going to be...it sneaks up differently on everyone.