Dancer

Last night I dreamed that I could dance again
And all the pain in my legs was gone
And I could dance as I never danced
Could soar with arabesques and leaps
And all before the audience cheered.

All in ethereal blue my company performed
I saw the imperfections of the stage
The lighting — bright here — dappled there
Ragged to me but perfect to their sight.
A shaft of light focused on me
What ecstasy, what lightness of foot.

I awoke and my legs were heavy.
Cramps in my calves and coldness
but not as much as before
Tell me from whence cometh pain,
Is it inside myself
If so — you are right
I will dance again!

by Lorna Bain — December 29th, 1985