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March 23, 2014

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Fairy Tale for Girls, Photography, Poetry, Young Fairy Tale

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Dancing Memento

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My young daughter’s first ballet class,
Awash in swirly pink,
Young girls,
Hair tidied in a looking glass,
Stopping for a quick drink,
spins, twirls.

Fingers together in ballet,
with correct attitude,
Balance.
Raising her arms in grand plié
A graceful interlude,
Warm glance.

My heart was sore to see her there
Leaving me to learn dance,
Wide grin
In place, twinkling eyes full of cheer,
And with a graceful stance,
leap, spin.

Copyright 2014 Brenda Davis Harsham

Inspired by the Paint the World with Words poetry prompt, which was to write a Memento, a style with 6-line stanzas, composed of patterned counts of 8/6/4/8/6/4 syllables and with a/b/c/a/b/c rhyming.

69 thoughts on “Dancing Memento”

  2. How beautiful Brenda!! ❤ And such a lovely memory to keep (poem and picture). Blogs are very useful diaries of our lives, much better than those closed ones in a book that you only get to see yourself – share the moment with the world!! 😀 I wish I had picture of me in my ballet gear when I was very little, or my classes at age eleven – I was ballet mad for quite a few years, and then I decided to be an actress. I'm glad I didn't do either, my personality wouldn't have suited either career. Nice to dream of though! 🙂

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  3. I adored this black and white treasure of a photograph! It is a jewel, a gem or a precious moment in time. Love the fact you took it, too. I have memories of my girl’s ballet practices but no photos. I have one of my oldest daughter in her tutu, but it is rather formal. This was a sweet cotton candy of a post, Brenda!

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    • Come to think of it, it is a bit like a circus getting her in her shoes and skirt and into class. I can’t think of cotton candy without thinking of the circus. Remember seeing them make in that giant twirly machine? Now they just sell it in plastic bags. So sad.

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  4. Aw Brenda this is gorgeous! Both the poem and photo capture a moment to treasure. 🙂 I can still remember my first ballet class like it was yesterday! x

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  6. What a beautifully written and touching story. The photo is so lovely. The innocence and creative energy of all those little girls is something to behold.

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    • Thanks, I had never written a memento before, but I found myself remembering my daughter in her class. I was surprised at my own mixed feelings. The girls are so excited to be there, in a temple to girlhood. It really is quite a vibrant place.

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        • The poor dads look like giants, head and shoulders above and pink and purple sea. They have pinched looks too, like proximity or being severely outnumbered makes them uneasy. I started talking to one’s daughter, and the dad gratefully came over, sat down and chatted away the five minutes before class.

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  8. Aw! Beautiful words for a beautiful princess! You are one very luck y lady honey, I hope you are all smiling now the sunshine is coming back to us 🙂 My own daughter is more of a’ Merida’ – she soon decided she’d rather be wielding a sword than a tutu! Oh well, horses for courses… Massive blessings to you and your little angels 🙂 x

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    • My daughter loves Merida, but is not inclined toward warfare, more toward having a rack of pretty dresses, with gloves and purses and friends to dress up with. She’s lovely, but very different than her tomboy mom. Does your daughter actually wield a sword?! Wow!!

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      • lol, yes with two brothers who fancy themselves as knights she has little choice! (And daddy has a big sword and mail so she’s quite immersed!) she still goes in for the princess dresses at the same time though, which cuts quite a terrifying look! 🙂 Blessings to you and your little princess 🙂

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  9. oh, what little beauties they are, if you could just hold onto these times forever. i love this picture and your words are perfect. it’s so bittersweet to watch as they grow and learn to spin on their own, not needing us to keep them from falling. )

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    • Yes, I didn’t realize why I was reluctant to put her in a dance class until I did, and then my heart ached. She mounted a humorous campaign to try to get lessons, so eventually I gave in. And she sure loves it.

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  13. How adorable they all are! 🙂 Little ballerinas 🙂 I have a story about a ballerina! Hihi! 🙂 Your poem is just super cute Brenda, like your daughter 🙂

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  16. This is precious. I can still remember my first ballet class. I was 3 1/2 yrs old. Black Danskin long sleeve leotard, pink Danskin tights and black Capezio leather ballet shoes. Our teacher wanted us to wear black shoes until we were aware of how to pointe our feet correctly. I can still see the studio and hear my teacher’s voice and remember the stick she carried – tapping it to keep time with the piano.

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    • The studio my daughter is in color codes the classes, and my daughter is in the pink class — shoes, leotard, and tights. Next year, she will be in the lavender class. My daughter really likes it. The girls are so adorable!! Thanks for commenting! Warmly, Brenda

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  17. I love this Brenda! The picture is perfect and your words describe that feeling so well. I’m a former ballerina and taught a class of 4-10 year olds. I’ve watched my daughter take her first class and it was a precious moment. This was such a lovely gift to read.

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        • I do have a beautiful angel, thank you, but I tried to make her not too recognizable. She is so cute in releve with her hands up high. Still I feel a bit sad, she is growing up so fast. I remember her at two, splashing in the tub and laughing.

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            • Amy, It is a joy, thank you, I do feel lucky. She sleeps in a bed with about a hundred stuffed animals, and people just keep buying her more. They are all her favorite. Warmly, Brenda

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            • Amy, I always have hope. Even in the darkest of times, I knew I could outwait them, and life would turn around, and it did. I hope you get the things you want and need, too. Giant hugs, Brenda

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            • Brenda,to be honest, the last three years have been rough. Lately, I feel the “light” again, a freshness, a lightness, a JOY that disappeared through many trials and dark periods. I never lost hope, though, and I persevered. Now that I am so immersed in my photography and beautiful people like you, my life is smiling again. Sending you Much Love today!!! Love, Amy

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            • Amy, I think a lot of people come to blogging from pain, from a place of restricted freedom, or from longing for a new direction. I am in a lot of pain daily from a back problem, but I am healing, moving in the right direction and focused on joy. I try not to dwell on it, rather I try to avoid it. It requires some hard choices, less driving, less sitting, more moving, more exercise. But these are all good things. And my daughter is a shining light in my world. As are my beautiful blogging friends. Hugs, Brenda

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            • Brenda, I too am dealing with back issues. I have for more then 20 years. I just now am moaning, heading for the bottle of pain medication that I have to take. But, even with the pain, I am seeing a very slow improvement over the years. And yes, my photography is my outlet to help me forget this pain AND the joy that it gives me actully decreases the pain. Bless you!!! I KNOW! Love, Amy

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            • Amy, You are indeed a kindred spirit. I hope your back feels better soon. Mine has been a problem off and on since I was in a colossal car crash at age 4. I try to manage it without the drugs, but some days I don’t make it. And occupying my mind is key. 🙂 I hope your progress toward wellness is swifter than you think. Hugs, Brenda

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            • Bless you, Brenda!! I had a severe back injury in 1993 and after 2 surgeries, was not walking for almost 2 years. I am a product of mind over matter and inch by inch brought this body back to strength and health. There is not a day that goes by that I take pain medication. And I sometimes feel such gratitude for those pills, because without them, I would be in agony. And would not wish to live.

              Every day gets a little better. I just met a woman yesterday who is encouraging me to seriously get back into body building. You know what, Brenda, I just might do it! LOL Love, Amy

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            • Amy, My spine surgeon said sit ups, every day, was the secret to not re-injuring. I hope he’s right. I’m going to do some now! Cheers, Brenda

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            • Brenda, it is true. Strong abs is the key. Yet, even with situps do them carefully. Bend your knees and come up doing crunches without pulling on your neck. Coming all the way up puts a big strain on your back. Crunches are the way to go. Walking too, as well as working out on machines to increase strength. Flexibility is another key… so Yoga is really good. Every body is different, so everyone’s “keys” will differ. I know what mine are. Good luck!!! FORM is all time important to not injuring yourself. xxoo, Amy

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