I can’t stop, I’ve only begun my routine.
Thoughts flutter in through my head,
The spotlight brilliant upon me.
I speak out in the language of…
Dance.

The judges’ eyes, sharp intent,
Normally so innocent,
Today, they are solemn figures, with stone expressions,
Am I doing well?

Feel the music, be the music! My teacher had urged.
Be the music.
But how?
I recount the stress, exhilaration, pain
Of rehearsing every day 24-7,
This dance is the theme of my life, all the motifs swirling.

Now it’s time, what do I do?
I pirouette and twirled chaines turns,
I flow in the music,
In the crescendos and diminuendos.
Then leap into a grande jete!
I feel the judge’s eyes upon me, scorning
A sudden dissonance-C/C#,
What went wrong?

Just as quickly, I realized,
This was my dance.
Let them stew in their disgust,
And likewise the audience,
It’s not for them I dance.

I poise a graceful arabesque,
Worries wiped away.
I am the dance,
I am complete,
For my whole life.

Starting the new era of sunshine and golden bliss,
Now sunk in clouds of gold,
I animato whip the fouette turns,
Radiating exuberance.
A flower seed wafted by the breeze,
To new life…somewhere.
Breathing self-confidence,
Cantabile – the dance is I.