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A poem I wrote while I was a stripper. I was in my early 20s.

                                    The music engulfs her

Her eyes begin to close

The beat goes boom bada boom

No one really knows

That as she stands there beside herself

Inside that fishbowl of smoke

She’s just a ballerina

Trying not to choke

 

Her eyes gaze beyond the crowd

In to the blinking lights

Her body, going through the motions

It’s just another night

 

She’s just a ballerina

Dancing through the show

An angel with a broken wing

Trying to make it through the snow

She’s just a ballerina

Trying to survive

With a blanket of hunger surrounding her

It’s a wonder she’s still alive

 

She dreams of the quiet ride home

The moment she slips in to bed

Where visions of Sugar Plum Fairies

Are still very much alive in her head

 

She’s just a ballerina

Dancing through the show

An angel with a broken wing

Trying to make it through the snow

She’s just a ballerina

Trying to survive

With a blanket of hunger surrounding her

It’s a wonder she’s still alive

 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I find this special insight touching. It must have taken a special kind of courage to do what you did, and you had no choice but to insulate yourself from a lot of what went on. Of course, all of the dancers were some father or mother's little girl, their special princess; as human and sensitive as anyone.

[LinBin]

wonderful piece of writing, I like this a lot, well done x

[shoaib]

its a beautiful piece, and insight especially for guys. you speak of the dance as beautiful (ballerina) but also the darker side (trying to survive) and numbess (just another night) i liked seeing all the different ways you talked about it and enjoyed this poem... great work

[floarealbastra10]

this is simply beautiful

[highthought]

i like this line
With a blanket of hunger surrounding her
(of course i dont wish for you to comeback there )

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dear Writing Friend,
A powerful write packed with truth. The verses reveal what many do not realize, at times those on stage have to mentally and emotional check out to cope with this difficult type of profession. I felt your lines “Her eyes gaze beyond the crowd”, “In to the blinking lights” described this checking out clearly.
I was guessing the reference to through the snow was referring to nose candy, a hard path to live on. And the reference to a blanket of hunger was referring to some men who see women as property and objects for their pleasure, thus are driven by a hunger called lust that is never quenched.
In verse four I envisioned a woman who just wanted to get her work done for the night, so she could go home where she would be safer and the little girl inside her would be free to dream. An escape from all the hardship she faced in life.
A powerful poem packed with word brush strokes that paint a very vivid mosaic of pain, turmoil, lust, survival, inner-child, and addiction. I am so thankful you survived and are able to share your story. Thank you.

Blessings, Laughing-Bear