Dancer Down

Dancer Down
down and swiftly
down and out but not showing the out
down and up
down and up so swiftly

And I watch

her tremble and hide
no injury, just fine, shakin' it off

But I see
her muscles tense around the rib cage and pain wraps around her lower back
and down into her right hip

but she stands
so strong

"Go home, eat some ibu, get some ice."

I hear the words and think

I want to wrap her in a blanket
wrap her injuries
ice her
heat her

Dancer Down

while I watched from a darkened corner

I saw just how strong that injured,
beautiful Dancer is.

"She'll be back tomorrow night."