Finding Poise
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

The solid shoulders and the muscular legs might give me away, and my bust is poorly developed, I admit. But I think that my face has lost that ugly aggression that was once my hallmark. And I like to wear my hair up in a bun like this, even when I am not dancing. I think that it is truly feminine, and know that is what I really want to be.

My mother told me that I needed to find a physical outlet for all my energy, and something that did not lead me into violence. Before I knew it I was dispatched to my Aunt Beth’s dance camp. As Aunt Beth explained, it was for female dancers only, so that was what I had to be.

The big surprise was that I loved it. It was energetic but also artistic, and I was surprised to find within myself the desire to create beautiful things – beautiful movements and an attractive presentation. I had found a pursuit in life that saw me leave everything else behind me. I had found poise.

The End

© Maryanne Peters 2023