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December 29, 2017

She Danced. {Poem}

This was inspired by an initial curiosity for Latin dancing—from learning in Ecuador with a teacher who was only fluent in Spanish to returning to Australia and re-learning along many others who were unfamiliar with dancing.

There were many trials when “finding my own feet” (pardon the pun) within the very different world of dancing was more than I’d anticipated. One particular challenge was that dancing led me to take a more in-depth look within myself.

A striking metaphor for many things in life, especially your relationship with yourself—this piece was born while reflecting upon a 15-month healing journey through dance—from self-consciousness, uncertainty, and anxiety into a state of liberation and personal acceptance, awareness, and self-love.

This voyage is ready to take any one of you who feel ready to explore life and yourself on a deeper level from fear into freedom in a fun and forever meaningful way.

~

She Danced.

She wanted to dance.

She tried to move,

And to learn,

How to live,

And to love…

And so, she attempted some moves—

It was all so foreign!

In a foreign language,

In a faraway place,

Fantasy time…

She showed her new friends

The steps she was making.

Her hips, she was shaking,

Her body was aching,

Her new friends laughing!

What was she thinking?

It was not so natural, stomach sinking—

Yet, she persisted.

She persisted with dancing,

This time, in her own country,

Another set of new friends,

A new set of dance moves…

This time there were others

all learning to move too!

Our hands constantly sweaty,

Gripping tightly, to not lose

The contact point for turning—

Did we pull off that move?!

Laughing with her,

Stepping on toes,

Out of time,

Too few men,

All of us were persisting with dancing.

Lessons, teachers, rivalries, smiles,

Shoes, outfits, late nights, and long drives,

Big steps, little steps,

Turning steps and twirling,

Dizziness, sore feet,

My stomach’s still churning!

My whole body is hurting…

But, she desired to dance.

More men of all sizes—

Tall, small,

Large, round,

Hands that reached up,

Some would stray down.

Teach me, show me,

Let’s try that move again!

Come closer,

Move away,

Please give me my space!

Lead me,

Don’t push me,

Or force me into my place.

I’ll move with you,

Softly, gently, and sweetly,

If you show me the way…

Then we’ll dance like all fury

If fiery energy gives over to us today.

We don’t know each other,

I don’t know your name—

But I’ll dance with you tonight,

If you will just treat me right.

And so, she danced.

She lived.

She loved.

And she laughed.

She persisted…

Her efforts paid off,

And so, she took flight.

Like a bird set free,

A bird healed of its plight.

She was gracious and graceful,

But not always right,

Yet dancing was much like

a metaphor for her life.

She learnt much in this time,

This journey of dance life,

And lived for each moment

From day to night.

Not always perfect,

But neither is life!

She knew what was missing,

And helped make it right.

She would dance where life took her,

Engaged in the movement of her life,

Refining the moves,

Of twisting and turning,

Her hands less sweaty,

Her stomach’s stopped churning.

And so, she lived.

She laughed and learned…

And so, she danced,

As much as her sweet heart had yearned…

She danced.

~

Author: Sarah Korzeba
Image: WikiMedia Commons
Apprentice Editor: Nikki Maly // Editor: Yoli Ramazzina
Copy editor: Catherine Monkman
Social editor: Lindsey Block

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