The music begins

I walk on stage

Time to do my best

The light is shining in my eyes

As I watch the judges

They smile and encourage

But my stomach flips

I smile and focus

As I start my dance

I schenae and turn

And spin around

I jump and leap

From one side to another

Feeling the beat of the music

I go into a firebird leap

And dance to the music

Pointing my feet

Two turns

Three turns

Going into my fouette

The crowd goes wild

I can hear my friends

Screaming my name

I can see my siblings 

Dancing along with me

In the audience

I keep smiling

I can do it

I tell myself

I can see the judges

Speaking into the mic

So I can hear their critiques

Next week my teacher tells me what I need to fix

I raise up in pointe

Then down in plie

I go into releve

Then go into my tricks

I own the stage

Dancing is my dream

I can’t let it die

When I walk off the stage

I am proud

Of my performance

And I will do anything

To dance on this stage again.