Pale pink tights
Stark black leotard,
Pristine pointe shoes.
New but dusty tights,
Semi-fitting leotard,
Secondhand slippers.
Continuing her tenth year,
A ballerina strides to the barre,
Beginning her daily stretches.
Continuing her fourth week,
A ballerina stumbles to the barre,
Attempting to touch her toes.
Perfect white-blond hair,
Slicked back, shining,
Reflecting the light of the room.
Mussed golden-blond hair,
Refusing to stay in place,
Escaping its knot.
Body squared,
Toes pointed and winged,
Fingers delicate but strong.
Grasping the barre for support,
Toes flexed incorrectly,
Fingers stiff and together.
Stepping into fifth position,
Prepping for her double pirouette,
She lands without a sound.
Stepping into first position,
Beginning her plié,
She lands with a thud.
The ballerina sees another,
Looking confused at the instructor;
She crosses the room.
A ballerina trips on the barre,
Feeling frustrated;
She sees another dancer approaching,
Holding the helpful hand,
The second ballerina stands up,
Returning a shy smile.
She can tell the first understands,
As she guides the second through class,
Taken under her wing.
Taken Under Her Wing
By Isabelle B. and Maddie D.
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