The Dancer

The house lights slowly dim. She stands deceptively still. Closing her eyes she runs through the routine one final time in her mind. As her eyes open the soft murmuring of the audience fades and the orchestra awakens the opening song with tenderness and hopeful anticipation. Pressing the tip of first the left toe shoe and then the right into the rosin box she bows her head for one more precious moment with God, seeking blessing for all the performers this evening. As the stage lights blink their welcoming embrace she squares her shoulders, raises her chin, lifts her arms to position and a smile bursts forth from the depth of her soul....