Dance

Her first view of the world is sky. Head tilted back, she gazes upwards, drinking in the wondrous sight of that wide expanse, of the limitless distance she could never comprehend. She arches her arm up, slowly, her hand climbing as far as it could go towards the light. 

She hears notes stringing together, soft. They rise up, surrounding her in a beautiful melody that seems to come from within her very being. With her eyes fixed to the sky, she knows what she must do. The music calls her, and she dances.

She brings her arm back to her body and stands on the tip of one foot, slowly turning. Her arms twine around her as she turns, faster, the music following her every movement. 

The song swells and she obeys. Her body slopes down, free leg rising into the air, forming a perfect line.

She wants to shout her happiness at everything, at living, at the music, and of the magnificent sounds and colors that spin around her as she dances. Doing so would ruin the moment, so she simply continues to express her joy with her graceful movements. 

She hears clapping, and her joy intensifies, knowing that she has pleased another with her own celebration.

The music slows, and she with it. Worry shakes her mind when her once flawless limbs begin to jerk along, uncontrolled. Her dance is no longer effortless. She can feel her joints creak. Her movements harden. The notes stretch out, chiming off-key. She is coming to an end.

With her last bit of will, she turns her head to the sky. The lights stop. The music ends with one long note. In her final moment, she is happy. Her last thought is how truly beautiful life is, and as her vision darkens, she smiles towards the loveliness of the sky.

“Mama, please let me wind it again!” 

“No, we spent enough time here. Let's go.”

The little girl glances back at the tiny dancer, then follows her mother home.