The Dying Swan

by Hea

Enter
stage left,
it's never right,
the house sits
eagerly on
the edge
of its
sticky worn seats.
"Costumes"
yells the instructor
my mind
stomps it's
feet with a why bother!
More than ready
to abandon
this leather faced sack,
a weary traveler
saddled taught,
who's back riddles
it's own burden
in 28 tattoos,
drawn by crayon,
markers and a bubble blowing pen.
My trusty jeans
and t-shirt,
popsicle stained
given flair,
reveals hidden truths
In the all too roomy
leotard i wear.
Popping a squat
I scour my bag
nothin' but my pointes,
reaking spoiled sweat.
Grabbing with haste,
noting their aging despair,
not bad , i tell them
all things considered,
hardly holding the pale
that once shined
with my spit,
now hidden in
an archaic dinge.
My tights
must be on break,
lot's to tuck,
under battle torn toes ,
I tell them to huddle,
bind and crammed in
my one size
fits all
pair of shoes.
I criss and I cross,
limp ribbons whining
both of us frayed
round the edges.
Stretching and extending,
rotation down pat,
I take to the bar
not sure who's
looking back,
better to stand
in the unaware.
I curse the clapping
and it's uncalled for racket,
just give me the cello,
let my Saint-Saens begin.
positions,
pirouettes and
of course grand plies,
a story well versed yet
utters no words,
the horizon calls,
though I've no
space to fly,
my feathered arms
faint in their waving,
starting to quiver,
tortured and tormented,
I allow the descent,
one last arc perfected,
one of so many times.
Stilled strings
announce the
quick of my pulse,
the panting slows,
the audience
blanketed in hush.
It's applause
muffled,
as is my own,
the shows over,
exit
stage left.

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