Dear Dance

The ballet world is full of exciting, rewarding, and encouraging highs...as well as devastating lows. Hallie has experienced both ends of that spectrum along with everything in between.

It makes sense that dancers would stick around - recommitting themselves to their craft - after the highs, but sometimes it can be hard for those of us who haven't caught the dance bug to understand why dancers stay following the lows.

January 24, 2021 - the day she found out
she wasn't invited to start point that year.

Hallie wrote Dear Dance at the end of her eighth grade year. Her teacher entered it in a Poetic Power writing contest and it was selected for publication in a poetry anthology, however that's not what makes this poem special; what makes it special is that it explains why she keeps going.

Dear Dance

As I walk into that building, my second home

I know my way

I feel your spirit inside me.

From the moment I felt your joy, I fell in love with you.

That studio that I feel so much comfort in

We are all there for YOU.

The slick floors, the open space,

I reached to click on the music.

Dance, you lift me up!

I feel freedom, like nothing is holding me back.

All stress disappears, for YOU are my safe place.

You have offered me so many opportunities,

That have helped me grow,

And have shaped me into who I am today.

You have gotten me through my hardest times

But when I walk into that studio,

Everything goes away.

Dance, you are my passion.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

With Love,

Hallie

To clarify, Hallie just had the (dance) week of her dreams. I'd already planned this post because while I had no idea what kind of week awaiting her, I knew for certain that if she'd had a rough week, she would have kept going anyway.

It's also worth noting that Hallie granted me permission to share this poem.