Untitled, Nicole P&rrish

by Nicole Parrish '12

When she dances it's difficult to tell whether the brilliance comes from spotlights on sequined skirts and sateen slippers or from her smile. She danced until she could stand no longer— reached up on her toes, on legs that never end, until she could reach no more. Dressed like a flower that worships the very sun above, her dancing made us feel God in our veins. It was the way she channeled her soul to the rest of us. Yes, she swayed face upturned to heaven dreaming for something more. She danced past sores until her pink pointe shoes turned red. Red to match rouge lipstick makes her mouth seem all the bigger, and her eyes smiled with it.

The way she moved could stop royal courts echo reminders that there is something more to our worlds; with soft step and warm gaze, she pirouetted around injustice and true love swirling them together & sentenced us to undeniable admiration. Yes, her dancing made us feel God in our veins.

Her promenade stitched each piece of me together and final bow declared me to the world her 'preciosa' Si, su baile me hizo sentir Dios en mis venas. En mis manos En mis suefios...

faint^nd^a^lid^6 ' tC> never wake from, but I encounter her with eyes red now and lips She has hidden from the sun for so long.

Some days, she looks in the mirror and thinks... this... is not where she imagined she would be.

Some days, she wakes up and wishes she were still asleepsleep the only stage left upon which she can continue her dance. For waking life is far too heavy and walking so much a burden, but the sun demands she rise.