I stood
on the stone
of sturdiness
only
to find myself
far away from
stability
and simply
balancing

The being is pure;
The being is light,
yet we are dark
and sometimes lose sight.
We must be aware.
We must be vigilant of ourselves
and our present state.
Life won't always be pleasant
nor rewarding,
be we must maintain self-awareness.

Things will be heard
and that will test you.
Be strong,
be aware that the urge to react will be present.
However, strength isn't fighting the evil;
strength is being patient with it.
Choose not to let it in;
choose not to let it force you to act.
One must try to be patient
and maintain a peaceful mentality.

Only speak kind words
or
words that are neutral if words must be spoken.
Never let the evil exit your mouth,
for it will cause unwanted consequences.

See the situation for what it really is,
not for what it appears to be.
Evil is easier to see than the true situation
that is underneath it all.
Again,
remain vigilant,
keep your eyes open,
but keep your ears closed.
Speak to express,
also to reveal,
but never to hurt,
nor to swear.

One word and we pause,
        Hanging suspended in space.
        Limbs the very picture of elegant restraint.
Two heartbeats before release.
        The tension is shattered.
        Feet once more on the ground.
Three bodies moving together,
        En pointe, flying as one.
        Somewhere, I became the tulle of my skirt.
Four limbs is all we have.
        Our limbs and our hearts,
        And the dance already owns them.
Five positions we move through,
        Having already etched them
        On the pillars of our memory ages ago.
Six minutes the music endures
        And we along with it,
        Transfixed in time by tradition and passion.
Seven criticisms we each weather,
        Holding our breath,
        Grace comes with a hefty price.
Eight beats and we move once more
        -Folding and unfolding-
        Balanced on a knife's edge, we can breathe again.