Ballerina

A ballerina dances so gracefully and softly.
It seems as though her feet never touch the floor.
She seems as though she is simply swaying
back and forth across the stage.
She dazzles the audience
with this truly amazing gift.
She’s breathing very heavily
but doesn’t show her weariness.
As she curtsies towards the audience
the prince comes on.
She waits backstage for her next cue,
then she comes on stage
with a burst of energy that lights the audiences eyes 
with a sudden excitement,
as she pirouettes to her prince’s arms
they do a beautiful duet.
She ends in his arms as gracefully as she started.

As they leave the stage
the applaud is so great
that she can no longer hear herself breathing.

- Alicia Richardson