Ballerina Dreams

I take daily comfort in knowing that somewhere,

someone who once called themselves a writer,

still finds pleasure in carefully constructing grocery lists.

She used to be a dancer

but now the only choreography she knows

is the syncopated rhythm of her children’s schedules

The grace it takes to make stir-fry

while re-learning algebra.

and enough rehearsal etiquette to realize that

tomorrow she’ll have to start all over again.

Plagued by unfulfilled strings of ambition

she wonders if the life she has

is her punishment for not working harder,

being more dedicated,

or drawing the line when

“what it takes” was too much for the reward.

She drops her child off at dance class

wondering why no one ever warned her. 

Emily Martin

Sept 11, 2012