Beautiful since birth
Seafoam eyes like ocean waters
Danced like an angel
Three sons and two daughters
First love was fame
Second love was famous
First hate was "can't"
Second hate was cancerous
A dancer and an actress
And a lover and a fighter
A mother and a wife
But the fight in her got tired
Only memories draped in cloths
Around her head to hide the shine
Played doctor to fix my gran
Around her neck, arms intertwined
My thermometer read 98.6
Her heart rate was sublime
Catherine was too young to understand
"Why did granny run out of time?"
Pale like the sand in Delaware
Where we used to play in the sun
Now imagine her ashes in the grains
Watching us babies having fun
"When she died,
Her feet were pointed
She went dancing
Into heaven"
Mama says
To calm my nerves
I'll dance out
My words to her
I know she can hear me
My feet against the floor
The audiences' clap
Shouting for an encore
I know she giggles when
She sees me on stage
Her smile is the spotlight
Her eyes fully engaged
God knew he'd fool the devil
When he created my angel
With the fiery spark in her soul
But the flame smouldered into coal
She was strong and she was powerful
But the end was soon inevitable
She danced her way into His arms
Into his palace, away from harm
She doesn't hurt any longer
Though her absence makes us somber
God couldn't wait to let her see
The paradise that now waits for me
My fingertips lifted up by her essence
Toes pointed towards her graceful presence
Leaps extended by her voluminous wings
Chin held high, together we're flying
Stand like a string is attached to my back
Promise not to make too much disturbance in class
Ballet slippers tied tight like the bun on my head
Wish I could be the perfect ballerina instead
Instead of who I am, an emotional wreck
Throwing out my feelings like I'm pressing eject
Take out my anger, my fear, my pain
In a single, lonely dance in the rain
My first ballet teacher at the tender age of four
Paved the pathway for all my other mentors
I dance for them all, but she's in the center
Of my heart, of my head, every piece, she's entered
Cover my chest to keep everything away
Whether it's boys or cancer wanting to stay
My strength is malignant, it always comes back
Waves of preparation for when infection attacks
I feel her in my tears
In my prayers, she is near
I feel her in my passion
In my dancing, my scarf fashion
Reminds me of the cloths
Wrapped around her face
Thought she was a princess
But a memory took her place
I love you with every step today
Every chasse and tour jette
Every plie and pas de bourree
I love you every step of the way
