Final Bow

She steps from the left

onto the dim stage,

 stray glitter scattered

                  looks dusty

Pausing, she looks to the house,

Empty, quiet, echoing applause

It was her last dance.

She sets down her bag

that contains

Toe shoes, clickety tap shoes

and worn black leather jazz shoes

a water bottle

sequins, lace, tights in a tumble rainbow

                  of costumes.

And her dance book

holding

                                    a ribbon from the ballet slipper

                                                       of a remembered cousin

                                    a dried flower from her first recital

                                                      years ago

                                    a scarf from the her first solo,

                                                      pink and frayed

                                    a poem from a teacher

                                                      about a dancer

Sashay, toe, toe, swivel…

She giggles

                   remembering her the time

                   she crashed into the palm tree oasis backdrop

Pirouette,

                  extend

shimmy

                  an entourage of jazz, ballet, hip hop, soft shoe and tap

                                    partner together in a finale

Ending with her center stage

                  Arm extended straight

                  Chin high,

                                    Statuesque,

                                                      A chapter over.

With grace, beauty and life,

                  Her had swings from high

                                    Arcing in perfect symmetry,

A single tear dances down her cheek

                  and she takes her

final bow.