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.
