Tall, Tall, Taller

I wrote a poem about a dance intensive I attended. :)

Tall, Tall, Taller

eyes open,

early morning,

no light in the sky,

though it streams

in my mind

ride through the dark rain

drizzle, drizzle, plunk

soar through the air

tight, tighter, hold on

to the plane

for I am

alone

land on the ground

back to safety, but not home

ride through the sun

bright, so bright, sunglasses

new surroundings, new house,

same grandparents,

different kind

of family

unpack everything

leotards, leotards, tights,

shoes.

swimming

weightless, lifted, relaxed

such feelings never last

weekend ends

not soon enough

early morning

ready to dance

ready, ready, go

shy

so very shy

but Sarah and

Chloe like

Harry Potter, too.

slip on slippers

warm up at

the barre

with new friends

music begins

dancing starts

my heart beats

the way I like it

unfamiliar faces everywhere

but they seem kind

good dancers

two hours can be an eternity

even if

you’re having fun

Yaima says stand

tall, tall, taller

forever

lunch time

sun beats down

we wear warm ups

any way

Chloe says stay

warm, cold

muscles hurt

meander through the halls

find the studio

inside, find a piano,

smile

more dancing

all that jazz

not to mention

all that

ballet

day one over

such fun

so tiring

mustn’t collapse

Milky Ways are

my savior

ride through the

palm trees

the breeze

couldn’t be more

adored

now home

it’s ok

to allow myself

to collapse here

until morning rises and the days repeat

again, again, again

my feet are home to many, many, a few

blisters

week two

pas de deux

step of two

learn what

to do

it’s funny

being held while

turning, turning, stopping

doesn’t feel any safer

homesickness is

the worst part

but only just before

not being

the best here

try imagining

what Kahona and

Akari feel like

my homesickness

is belittled by

the fact

that their home

is so far away.

Japan.

no English,

save for “hello”

“bathroom,” “ballet,” and

“present for you”

will leave their lips.

they were

my favorite people there

somehow

their passion

for ballet,

determination to

understand,

to prove their

immense talent

inspires me

dancers’ survival tip:

pedicures are magical

eight hours

of dancing a day

creates hunger

for more food

than usual

my family comes to visit me

in this warm, hot, sweltering,

Florida

smile because

happiness isn’t found

at home

but wherever you and

your family

are together

tomorrow we perform for everyone,

family,

ourselves, nervous, nervous.

performance day

legs are wished to be broken

tutus slide on

ready, ready, lights

euphoria overtakes my mind

as recollections of why I came swarm

dance through the lights

bright, so bright, no sunglasses

soar through the air

let go, go, free

land on the wooden stage

not home

but safe, happy, happy

final bows are taken, tears

of joy and misery are shed

hold close

teachers, friends, bags,

memories

repack everything

leotards, leotards, tights,

shoes

ride through the memories

driving to my flight

soar through the air

shake, shake, shaking,

thunderstorm

don’t worry, this isn’t as

scary as turning

en pointe

land on the ground

back to safety, almost home

riding through the pelting rain

plop, plop, drop,

finally home

still standing

tall, tall, taller

as Yaima

taught me to do.