Alter Ego

Alter Ego

bright lights

              lowered

velvet blindfold

              lowered

and yet, each

lower brings anticipation

higher

the blindfold tears

at its center

only to reveal a

dark abyss

dim, lighter, light

twinkling eyes and

bright smiles allude

to heavy expectation

beat, pound faster

says heart—

it does

music wavers through

timid air and

all is understood

     stop thinking

smile

arms—one,

             feet—two,

pointe now, then

not, but put faith

in technique

dance for myself,

perform for the

night sky audience

let music play

 puppeteer, thinking

has ceased, and

I’m wear I

belong

yet there is

no way this

is me