long maple boards
stretch down the hall
their soft-gold glow
slipping into shadow
the infinite horizon
clear mirrors
from
floor to ceiling
dancers floating...up...on their toes
butterflies aflutter beneath the gothic-arches
Vaganova
girls toe-shoes
tights and tutus
stretch at the dancing bar
ballerina-tantala
reaching for the stars
each danseuse and danzatrice
channeling the muse
a ballerina-prima...in utero
passion in repose
humming-bird pirouettes
circling the flower
leaping and alighting
gravity...defying
bliss...before the fall
each dance, a new creation
a gift of beauty from the goddess
holy...in her tattered shoes
