a poem and dance
Ode to Anna
true self as 20th Century Fox musical
Act One
In college I yearned to major in theatre, but my parents balked. It wasn’t practical. A midcentury modern good girl, I considered Plan B
becoming a nun. Impractical to most, but room and board — practical manna.
Very yin and yang, yes, yet gospel truth,
except no way was my toe shoed soul willing to walk in Sister Scholastica Marie’s ugly ass shoes.
Act Two
We settled on prima ballerina – a swan in a jewelry box spinning to a tune she soon grew sick unto death of spiraling oh so beautifully downward, arms fluttering outward over her bowed head,
until she realized the lid of the box had been lifted all along.
Act Three
When from stage left Anna whispered
whistle a happy tune I’m getting to know you, getting to hope you like me. Shall we dance?
Only if you take the lead, Anna. Only if on a bright cloud of gloriously soprano music dewy with dotted bass baritone eighth notes
in chartreuse satin, beribboned pointe shoes whose toe box never aches
we fly my kingdom and I.
©Jenine Bsharah Baines 2021
Mystics of all faiths speak of the soul, Thomas Merton called it our true self. Trista Signe Ainsworth suggested we name ours. I chose Anna.
Anna is the name of the soprano lead in the musical The King and I. While researching for this poem, I found an intriguing article about how the musical was recently re-envisioned into an inditement against sexism and racism. Better yet!
But I simply love Rodger & Hammerstein’s songs, lyrics & melodies. Snippets are quoted or tweaked in the poem — the same way they’re infused within my soul.
Thank you, Diana C. for a new home at Know Thyself Heal Thyself. This poem works perfectly for my debut.
I hope you agree, dearest readers. Thank you. From Anna my wise ballerina & I…