she stood
balanced upon five delicate toes
her left leg as straight as the barre
hung with care in front of the mirror,
only vertical instead
of horizontal.
her right leg hung precariously in the air
bent at a perpendicular angle,
toes ever so slightly resting
upon her straight leg.
Arms jutted out straight,
aching to arch over her head,
waiting to twirl,
to dance,
to whirl away.
but there she stayed.
her body straining against physics
against gravity
against demands
against belief
against her heart –
a heart which demanded
freedom
a little more
every day.
her perfect pink tutu collected dust
as her eyes dulled,
her legs paled
and scratches appeared.
finally
her toes broke free.
she tumbled forward,
not knowing where to go,
unable to move her legs,
free falling into the
depths of the unknown.
ever so slowly,
her arms raised above her head
and she twirled,
whirling toward the darkness,
praying for life.
a broken ballerina
seeking freedom
as she tumbled from her
once humble abode.
lyricsplace 