curtains rise

by doreen peri

Posted to Action Poetry on 2002-12-29 18:45:00

i do a releve and plie
a grand jete and a port de bras.
i am the size of a petite portrayal
of myself on stage

reminisce if you will
it cannot kill
the dance

as curtains rise
i gather roses
never bowing
out

keep your memories intact
they will serve you well
steps must be taken
during certain scenes

upstaging has no place
in a show properly directed

i do not believe in astrology –
i number the stars with one –
i circle around him, orbiting.
he is my center, my truth, my hope,
my evolve.

a rope of woven thread
combines our hearts.
the old sorcerer has put
a spell on me.

reminisce, if you will,
but do not send a cancer
for the dancer will still
leap and keep center
stage delivering lines
to kill

“i have been trying
to finish that phrase
trying to finish that phase
trying to phase out
the finding,” she said

i did an arabesque
above her head,
ballet, my forte.
moving on to a new dance
is never easy.
be kind in the learning
of choreography.
steps can trip you up.

leap forward
not back.
.
.
.

12.29.2002