She is sculpted strength
she is pure balanced grace
head to her amazing toes
a work of athletic art
finely lathed
performance perfection
see the powerful slender neck
the defined sinewy form
of her athlete’s body
tuned muscle
connects tuned muscle
they enwrap the reach
of her strong graceful arms
firmly span her solid shoulders
empower her straightened back
ripple her taught stomach
tapering to a tight waist
down long lithe limber legs
of cut carved precision power
she is stunning
she is breathtaking
she is a prima ballerina
in this moment
she is anxious
but she is also
filled with excitement
she knows she need not be frightened
she knows the fluid moves
sees the precise steps
clearly in her mind
she knows the stride
the position of her body
just before elevation
she understands the speed
the run up
the lead foot
the plant angle
the knee bend
the thrust
she has done this
thousands of repetitions
no need for trepidation
she knows the energy
of the moment
of the crowd
as they anticipate
as she anticipates
the lift off
the rise
the glorious weightlessness
the thrill of flying
the feel of returning to earth
to her toes
she intimately understands
how to offset the momentum
to snap to a graceful stop
come to point
straight and strong
arms raised and extended
she remembers well the applause
that exhilaration
she knows this all
to her bones
she can do this
in her sleep
she has this mastered
she is a master dancer
but?
no!
she squelches the flash of doubt
she grows quiet in her mind
she is ready
she is in the zone
her body is coiled
she hears only the orchestra
there is now only they
and she
with the first note
she leaps
to her joy
to her glory
she is invincible
enraptured
swept up
in the consuming fire
and magnificent fury
of her honed body
in the dance
rob kistner © 2021
More poetry at: dVerse
How beautiful and graceful are her dance movements. I agree with letting go of the doubts and just leap into the dance with joy & glory.
Amazing!
Written so as to allow both the vision and the sensation. Like being there, Rob. Salute!
Thank you Ron!
So nicely captured–that grace and power, the body memory, and the mind-doubts.
One of my best friends was a ballerina with Dance Theater of Harlem.
Thank you Merril. That’s indeed a very cool friend! I wrote this from the memory I have of an explanation that was once offered to me by a ballerina I dated back in the 70’s. Also from my observation of her dancing, and other ballerinas I have observed since since.
This is absolutely STUNNING! You have captured the essence of ballet and in turn created something very special. I especially admire; “she intimately understands
how to offset the momentum to snap to a graceful stop
come to point straight and strong arms raised and extended.” 🙂
Thank you Sanaa. It comes from observation snd conversation.
Well done — my wife and I just watched an “American Masters” PBS documentary on Twyla Tharp, the master choreographer — I don’t get a lot of her rhythms but the dancers she work with are astonishing in their power and grace. A pure investment of heaven on earth, and you embody that here.
Thank you Brendan. This was a joy to write.
You’ve captured all the beauty and grace of a ballerina in this poem, Rob, and I love the phrases ‘sculpted strength’, ‘pure balanced grace’ and ‘cut carved precision power’. You also expressed the movement so well, especially in the lines:
‘the glorious weightlessness
the thrill of flying
the feel of returning to earth
to her toes’.
I like the slight hint of doubt, too, that every performer has until their feet touch the stage – very realistic.
Thank you so much Kim for the very kind words… 🙂
The pinnacle of athleticism and artistic achievement!
Remarkable Ingrid. 🙂
Just stunning imagery and realism in words.
Thank you Misky, very much… 🙂
Amazingly lovely– what you did here. Ah, simply gracefully amazing! Thank you. What a fun read. Happy writing. I wish you miracles. Selma.
Thank you Selma.
Imprinted on her DNA those fluid, exquisite movements … cheers, Rob.
Quite incredible Helen… 🙂
Wonderfully detailed write, Rob! Ballet is amazing… to witness what the human body can do and so gracefully.
Thank you Lynn. Amaxing gift!
Dance is the ultimate expression of bodily movement. Well done.
Ballet dancers are at the epitome of athletic condition, balance, and flexibility — remarkable. Their power and grace, so precisely balanced in their every movement – breathtaking! Thank you Kerfe.
Perfect capture of the body and the emotions before THE DANCE! This is spectacular writing, Rob!
Thank you so very much Bev — I’m humbled.
As I read, I was flexing and lifting myself inwardly to accompany her. You have captured the very soul of a ballerina.
Thank you Sherry, I am truly pleased this resonated with your inner spirit! 🙂
I love this at face value but as the metaphor as well. You channeled the prima dona here. Beautiful poem, Rob!
Thank uou Lisa… 🙂
Your words offer the grace embodied in the art, a consummate rendering of body as art.
Thank you Paul… !