For You

The Dancer

For you, the one whose art is in the movement of the body and soul. May you always find inspiration, not in the applause of the crowds but in the smiles you make for yourself.

An atrium, larger than the hull of a galleon,
held patrons and fans of all walks of life,
and as they seated themselves with companions,
silence welcomed them, with dimmed lights.

Behind the velvet of the stage curtains we see,
a dancer, her hands held close to heart,
certain anxiety and shivers are shown through glee,
her mind replaying her routines and parts.

For this she had practiced, for weeks on end,
her sweat and blood, to create such grace,
aching limbs and stretched out seams in each bend,
limbering for an act that would illuminate this place.

The overture soon broke the solace in the room,
all are hushed and look on with excitement,
the curtains are pulled our muse steps out in bloom,
her poised stance beguiling all with vibrance.

Yet she could look back and see how she had fumbled,
how each step seemed to trip her up in knots,
but in every mistake or lack, her heart was humbled,
momentum built in failure, pushed her on in thoughts.

The passion from her soul displayed on stage commenced,
each movement beaming with immense artistry,
the audience kept silenced by how her body tensed,
to steps and motions played by muscle memory.

For she had repeated each gesture a million times,
until she got it perfect, she could not stop.
Fatigue and tiredness crept on her, she saw all the signs,
but, as what is said she would strike, whilst iron is hot.

The orchestra now reaching the height of its performance,
signaled our dancer to move in greater length,
her leaps created gasps, her body seemingly in a trance,
like water it flowed masterfully with gentle strength.

And as everyone witnessed her breathing inconsistent,
her face still displayed such joy and reprieve,
she had worked for this day with her every fragment,
not until she was tired, but until victory was achieved.

As the peak of the strings had risen in quick fashion,
she readied herself for the finale prepared,
with a sudden flip in the air, the audience stood in action,
landing with arms raised, ovation rung through the air.